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V 






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A 

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SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO KNOWLEDGE. 


THE 

I 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN 


SURVEYED AND DESCRIBED 


BY 


If A v L A P H A M, 

.V ' 

CIVIL ENGINEER, ETC., 


ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY. 


[ACCEPTED FOR PUBLICATION, DECEMBER, 1853 .] 



I 


£ 78 

MzL-l- 


PUBLISHED BY THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 

June, 1855 . 


ft 


T. K. AND P. G. COLLINS, PRINTERS, 
PHILADELPHIA. 


NOV 4 1308 

D. oi D* t 








The systematic exploration of the ancient remains of Wisconsin, of which the 
present memoir by Mr. Lapham is the result, was undertaken and accomplished by 
him on behalf of the American Antiquarian Society, from whose funds the neces¬ 
sary expenses were provided. Beyond these expenses Mr. Lapham desired and 
received no other compensation than the scientific enjoyment which the prosecution 
of the work itself afforded him. 

It happened that, while these explorations were in progress, contributions from 
other persons relating to the earthworks of the same region were proffered to the 
Smithsonian Institution, whose publications in that department of American 
research already embraced the known antiquities of most other sections of the 
United States. On that account it seemed desirable that the two institutions 
should co-operate, and that the materials collected should be presented to the 
world through the same channel, and in the same style of illustration. 

The suggestion was therefore made by the Smithsonian Institution to the Anti¬ 
quarian Society, that, when Mr. Lapham’s notes and drawings had been revised 
and sanctioned by the latter, the care and cost of printing the report should be 
assumed by the Institution. The proposition was readily acceded to, as better 
subserving the interests of science, since it would enable the Society to employ its 
funds in other researches. 

In conformity with this understanding, the memoir, after having been carefully 
examined by a Committee of the Antiquarian Society, was submitted to the Smith¬ 
sonian Institution, and accepted for publication. 

Owing to the great, expense attendant upon the issue of a work containing so 
many illustrations, the publication has been somewhat delayed. This has, how¬ 
ever, allowed a number of important additions and corrections to be made—giving 
to the work still greater value as an accurate and faithful record of the interesting 
earthworks of Wisconsin, which are so soon to be obliterated by the march of 
improvement. 

Joseph Henry, 

Secretary S. T. 

Smithsonian Institution, June 1, 1855. 

































„ 



























I 


r R E FACE. 


Although the existence of aboriginal earthworks in the Western country has 
been known for almost a century, no mounds of imitative design intended to 
represent animal figures were observed, until a very recent period, when the terri¬ 
tory now constituting the State of Wisconsin began to attract the attention of 
emigrants. This was in the year 1836, and I then made known through the 
newspapers of the day the fact of the existence of the “ turtle-mound” at Prairie 
Village, now Waukesha, and of other animal effigies at various places. Since that 
time every opportunity has been embraced to make examinations and surveys of 
these highly interesting relics of the past, which have been thus not unfrequently 
saved from oblivion. In some instances, they were destroyed immediately or 
within a few days after my survey. 

The American Antiquarian Society having placed at nry disposal the means of 
paying the actual travelling and other expenses, these investigations were greatly 
extended; and the results are now presented, in the hope that they may have 
their use in the settlement of many archaeological and ethnological questions of 
great interest and importance. 

But little effort has been made to construct hypotheses in explanation of the 
facts observed, or by an extended comparison with the results recorded by others, 
to arrive at general conclusions. The want of extensive collections of books and 
other facilities at the West may long prevent our inquirers, here, from entering 
upon such speculations. 

My office has been faithfully to fulfil the duties of the surveyor: to examine 
and investigate the facts, and to report them as much in detail as may be neces¬ 
sary; leaving it to others with better opportunities, to compare them, and to 
establish, in connection with other means of information, such general principles 
as may be legitimately deduced. 


Milwaukee, Wis. 


I. A. Lapham. 





































































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C O N T E N T S. 


Notice, 

Preface, 

Contents, 


PAGE. 

iii 

v 

vii 


List of Plates, . . . * . 

List of Wood Engravings, ......... 

Introduction, . . . . 

CHAPTER I. —Ancient Works in the vicinity of the Western Shore of Lake 

Michigan, ........ 


CHAPTER II. 
CHAPTER III.- 
CHAPTER IV- 

CHAPTER V- 
CHAPTER VI.- 

CHAPTER VII.- 
CHAPTER VIII.- 


- Ancient Works in the Basin of the Pishtaka River, 

-Ancient Works in the Basin of Rock River, .... 

-Ancient Works in the Basin of the Neenah, or Fox River of Green 
Bay, ......... 

-Ancient Works in the Basin of the Wisconsin River, 

-Ancient Works in the vicinity of Lake Superior, and Miscellaneous 
Localities, ........ 

-Contents of the Mounds ; Remains of Ancient Workmanship, 

-Concluding Remarks, ....... 


ix 

xi 

1 

5 

23 


32 


60 

66 

74 

80 

89 



















V 



























































1 


LIST OF PLATES. 


I. Map of Wisconsin, showing the location of the Ancient Works. 
II. Ancient Works near Racine, 

III. Ancient Works in the vicinity of Milwaukee, 

IY. Ancient Works near Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, 

.No. 2. Animal Mound on Sherman’s Addition to Milwaukee, 

Y. Ancient Works in the First Ward, Milwaukee, 

YI. Ancient Works in the Second Ward, Milwaukee, . 

"S II. Animal Mound, Beaubian Street, Milwaukee, 

No. 2. Animal Mound, Sherman’s Addition, Milwaukee, 

No. 3. Animal mound on Block 120, Second Ward, Milwaukee, 

No. 4. Ancient Works on the School Section, Milwaukee, 

YIII. Ancient Works at Indian Prairie, 

IX. Ancient Excavations, .... 

No. 1. At Milwaukee, .... 

No. 2. At Indian Prairie, 

No. 3. At Indian Prairie, 

No. 4. At Indian Prairie, 

No. 5. At Theresa, 

No. 6. At Pewankee, .... 

No. 7. At Fort Atkinson, 

X. Ancient Works, Township 11, Range 20, east, 

XI. Ancient Works, Township 12, Range 20, cast, 

XII. Ancient Works near Sheboygan, . 

XIII. Animal Mound near Burlington, 

No. 2. Ancient Works at Burlington, 

XIY. Ancient "Works near Muskego Lake, 

No. 2. Group of Oblong Mounds at Crawfordsville, 

XY. Map of Ancient Works near Big Bend, 

XYI. Ancient Works at Crawfordsville, . 

XVII. Animal Mound at Crawfordsville, . 

No. 2. Lizard Mound at Crawfordsville, . 

No. 3. The Frog, Big Beud, .... 

No. 4. The Frog, Big Bend, 

XVIII. Ancient Works at Waukesha, 

XIX. The Turtle, Waukesha, ..... 

XX. Bird Hill, Waukesha, .... 

No. 2. Lizard Mound, Waukesha, 

XXI. Ancient Works on Carroll College Hill, Waukesha, 

XXII. Birds, Waukesha, ..... 

XXIII. Ancient Works on the School Section, Pewaukee, 

B 


PAGE. 


6 

12 

14 

1G 

14 
16 
16 
It 
17 
17 

17 

18 

15 
18 
18 
18 
58 
31 
36 


20 

21 

21 

24 



* 25 


25 

25 

26 


26 

26 

26 

27 

27 

27 

27 

30 












X 


LIST OF PLATES. 


XXIY. 
XXY. 
Xo. 2. 
XXYI. 
XXVII. 
XXYI 11. 
Xo. 2. 
XXIX. 
XXX. 
XXXI. 
Xo. 2. 
Xo. 3. 
XXXII. 
XXXIII. 
XXXIY. 
XXXY. 
XXX YI. 
XXXYII. 
XXXYIII. 
XXXIX. 
XL. 
XLI. 
Xo. 2. 
Xo. 3. 
XLII. 
Xo. 2. 
Xo. 3. 
Xo. 4. 
XLIII. 
XLIY. 
Xo. 2. 
XLY. 
Xo. 2. 
Xo. 3. 
Xo. 4. 
XLYI. 
Xo. 2. 
Xo. 3. 
Xo. 4. 
XLYII. 
XLYIII. 
XLIX. 
L. 
LI. 


LII. 

LIII. 

*LIY. 

LY. 
Xo. 2. 


PAGE. 

Animal Mounds, Pewaukee, . . . . . .31 

Ancient Works on the Pekatonica river, ...... 33 

Oval Work at Fulton, ........ 33 

Ancient Works, Indian Hill, near Fulton, . . . . .33 

Ancient Works on Lake Koshkonong, ...... 35 

Ancient Works, Fort Atkinson, ....... 36 

Ancient Works near Jefferson, ....... 36 

Ancient Works, Ripley Lake, ....... 37 

Map of Ancient Works, Summit, ....... 38 

Ancient Works near Hartland, ....... 38 

Ancient Works at Merton, ....... 39 

The Cross at Merton, ........ 39 

Ancient Works, Madison, . . . . . . .40 

Ancient Works, Third Lake, ....... 40 

Ancient Works at Aztalan, ...... 42—50 

Map of Ancient Works at Aztalan, ..... 42—50 

Ancient Works, Pike Lake and Horicon, . * . . . .54 

Ancient Works at Horicon, ....... 55 

Ancient Works and Diluvial Ridges at Mayville, . . . . .56 

Ancient Works near Mayville, ....... 56 

Ancient Works near Mayville, ....... 58 

Ancient Works on Lake Winnebago, ...... 62 

Ancient Works on Lake Winnebago, ...... 62 


The Spread Eagle, Utica, 

Group of Mounds, Township 8, Range 4, east, 

One of the same enlarged, 

Mound, Township 9, Range 4, east, 

The Man, Township 9, Range 6, east, 

Ancient Works at Moseley’s, Township 9, Range 6, 

Map of Ancient Works at Honey Creek Mills, 

Ancient Works, Honey Creek Mills, 

The Buffalo, at Moseley’s, . 

Animal Mound, Honey Creek, 

Animal Mound, Honey Creek, 

The Bear, Honey Creek Mills, 

Animal Mound at Mr. Durr’s, 

Deflected Ridges at Mr. Durr's, 

Bird, at Honey Creek Mills, 

Bird, Township 10, Range 7, east, 

Ancient Works, Township 5, Range 7, east, 

Ancient Works, Township 5, Range 7, east, 

Ancient Works on One Mile Creek, Adams County, 

Ancient Works, at Maus’ Mill, Lemonwier river, 

Ancient Works on the great dividing ridge between the Mississippi and Kickapoo 
rivers, 

Ancient Works near Bartlett’s Landing, Mississippi river, 

Human Skull, from a Mound at Racine, 

Ancient Works on the College grounds, Beloit, 

Ancient Works on the east bank of Rock River, near Beloit, 

Mound near the Wisconsin River. 


63 

63 

68 

68 

68 

68 

69 

69 

69 

69 

69 

69 

70 
70 
70 
70 
70 
70 

72 

73 

77 

78 
81 

33 

33 












LIST OF WOOD ENGRAVINGS 


FIG. PAGE. 

1. Row of Mounds on the Aucielit Lake Beach, near the State line, .... 5 

2. Section of Mound at Racine, ........ 7 

3. Beaver Dam, . . . . . . . . . .11 

4. Serpentine Ridges in Marshes, . . . . . . . .12 

5. Pair of Lizards, . . . . . . . . . .14 

6. Oval Enclosures, .......... 15 

7. Section of Mound, Walker’s Point, ....... 15 

8. Vase from a Mound at Waukesha, ........ 28 

9. Aucient Works, Waukesha, ........ 30 

10. Row of Mounds, Fulton, ......... 34 

11. Natural Mounds, Dane County, ........ 34 

12. View of Lapliam’s Peak, ......... 39 

13. Mounds on Lapliam’s Peak, ........ 39 

14. Section of Mound at Aztalan, . . . . . . . .44 

15. Stone Arch, TTxmal, ......... 46 

16. Stone Bird, ........... 51 

17. Row of Mounds, Ilustisford, ........ 51 

18. Animal Mound, Hustisford, ........ 52 

19. The Cross, Township 11, Range 15, ....... 52 

20. Natural Mound, Rolling Prairie, ........ 53 

21. Associated Mounds, Beaver Dam, ........ 53 

22. The Elk, at Waushara, ......... 54 

23. Oblique Cross, Waushara, . . . . . . ' . .54 

24. The War Club, Waushara, ........ 54 

25. Little Butte des Morts Lake, ........ 60 

26. The Man, near Mount Moriah, ........ 64 

27. Animal Effigy, at Moundville, ........ 65 

28. Enclosure at the Dells, . . . . . . . • .71 

29. Fort, Iron Creek, . . . . . . . . . .73 

30. Temple Mound, Lake Superior, .. . . . . . . .74 

31. Stone Hammer, . . . . . . - • • .74 

32. Stone Axe, . . . . . • • • • .74 

33. Copper Knife, . . . • • • • • • .77 

34. Copper Arrow Head, . . . . . • • • • .77 











xii LIST OF WOOD ENGRAVINGS. 

no. PAGE. 

35. Excavations at La Crosse, . . . . . . . . .78 

36. Indian Hieroglyphics, Gale’s Bluff, . . . . . . .79 

37. Top View of Mound Skull, ........ 80 

38. Back view of same, ......... 80 

39. Clay Pipe of Mound Builders, ........ 83 

40. Stone Pipe of Mound Builders, ........ 83 

41—51. Indian Pipes, .......... 83,84 

52. Indian Arrow Head, ......... 85 

53. Vase from a Mound at Racine, ........ 86 

54. Stone Axe, .......... 86 

55. 56. Stone Chisel, .......... 86 

57. Wooden Image, .......... 87 

58. Perforated Stone, .......... 87 

59. Indian Game of Ball, ......... 87 

60. Copper Chisel, .......... 88 

61. Windfalls near Green Bay, . . . . . . . . .91 










INTRODUCTION. 


In the arrangement of my subject, I prefer to make use of the natural features 
of the State, rather than the political divisions into counties. At almost every 
annual session of the legislature, the boundaries of old counties are changed, and 
new ones are established from time to time with the progress of settlement and 
improvement; while the natural features, the great valleys or basins and their 
dividing ridges, always remain the same. It is also found that this is a more 
natural division of the ancient works; for they lie mostly along the valleys of 
streams, or on the borders of the small clear crystal lakes with which the State 
abounds. I have also indicated localities by reference to the numbers of the sec¬ 
tions, townships, and ranges, as adopted in the government surveys of the public 
lands, rather than to the names of the towns. 

It has been a leading object to ascertain whether any order or system can be 
detected in the arrangement of the several works. With this view, the exact 
relative situation of groups of mounds has been carefully observed and delineated; 
and for the purpose of determining whether there existed any general system of 
arrangement extending over large districts, the accompanying map (Plate I.) has 
been constructed, showing the relative position of all the works of which the pre¬ 
cise location has been ascertained. This map has been carefully reduced from 
the public surveys, and exhibits the general features of the State with sufficient 
minuteness for the purpose intended. 

The first narrative in which any notice of the existence of ancient works in this 
State was made public, is that of Major Long’s Expedition in 1823; from which 
the description of those at and near Prairie du Chien is copied in the following 
pages. The next is that of the late R. C. Taylor, in Silliman’s Journal for 1838, 
Vol. XXXIV. Dr. John Locke made accurate measurements of several works be¬ 
tween the Four Lakes and the Blue Mounds, published in his report on the geology 
of the Lead Mine District. But the most extended essay is that of Mr. S. Taylor, 
relating chiefly to the ancient works at and near Muscoda, on the Wisconsin River. 
The results of these several papers are embodied by Messrs. Squier and Davis in 
their “Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley,” constituting the first volume 
of the “ Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge.” 

As the district embraced in these researches has but recently been brought into 
notice, a short account of its general physical features will not be out of place here, 
and will aid in understanding the descriptions which follow, 
l 




2 


INTRODUCTION. 


The State of Wisconsin lies between the parallels of 42° 30' and 47° north 
latitude, and between 87° and 93° of longitude west from Greenwich; or it extends 
from the State of Illinois on the south to Lake Superior on the north, and from 
Lake Michigan on the east to the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers on the west. 
Its area is about 55,000 square miles. About three-fifths of the State lie in the 
basin of the Mississippi; and the remainder is drained by the streams tributary to 
the waters of the Great Lakes—Superior and Michigan. The former portion is 
naturally divided into five great vallej’s, occupied by as many principal streams— 
the St. Croix, Chippewa, Black, Wisconsin, and Bock rivers. The latter may be 
divided into three parts—that drained directly into Lake Michigan, the basin of 
Green Bay and its tributaries, and that which is drained into Lake Superior. 

These several hydrographical basins indicate also the general topography of the 
State. The dividing grounds between the basins attain usually but a slight eleva¬ 
tion above the surrounding country; so that it frequently happens that a lake or 
marsh is drained in two opposite directions, and the water sent towards the ocean 
at widely different points. These water-sheds, or “ divides,” as they are called, 
attain their greatest elevation about the sources of the Montreal River; where 
there is found a continuation into Wisconsin of the Porcupine Mountains of the 
Lake Superior Mining District. At one point near this place, the ridge is about 
1,150 feet above Lake Michigan; 1 while at the western boundary of the State it is 
diminished to about 500 feet. The region around the source of the Wisconsin 
River is a grand summit, from which the rivers flow in every direction like the radii 
of a circle. They run into the Mississippi River, Lake Superior, and Green Bay. 

The surface of Wisconsin may be characterized as nearly level, or gently 
rolling, except along the banks of the Mississippi, and the lower portions of 
some of its principal tributaries, where it is more broken, and where steep rocky 
cliffs and precipitous hills abound. There are also prominent peaks in this region, 
which tower above the general surface, so as to form conspicuous objects in the 
landscape; of these the Blue Mounds are the most elevated, being 1,224 feet above 
Lake Michigan. 

There is a ridge of broken land running from near the peninsula between Lake 
Michigan and Green Bay, in a southwesterly direction, through the western parts 
of Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha counties, and thence into 
Walworth and Rock counties. It is from three to five hundred feet in height, 
with an occasional peak of even eight hundred feet above Lake Michigan, and 
consists of irregular elevations and depressions throughout its whole course. At 
places the depressions are more regular, and from their round form are called “ pot¬ 
ash kettles.” The}- are doubtless owing to the decay and gradual washing away 
of the soft and easily decomposed limestone by which the ridge is probably under¬ 
laid. 

Another prominent feature in the topography of Eastern Wisconsin, is the cliff 
or escarpment of limestone resembling the “mountain ridge” of Western New 


1 U. S. Geological Reports.- 




INTRODUCTION. 


3 

York, extending along the eastern shore of Green Bay, and thence, in the same 
general direction, through Brown, Calumet, Fond-du-Lac, and the eastern part of 
Dodge counties. It constitutes the cliffs along the east side of Lake Winnebago; 
and interrupts the flow of the rivers west of it in their course towards Lake Michigan, 
turning them northward into Green Bay. From its crest another system of rivers 
originates, which, running in the same general direction, flow into Lake Michigan. 
Immediately west of this bold escarpment commences a remarkable series of ridges, 
probably caused by “drift” agencies (whatever they may have been), and of which 
some notice will be found in the following pages. 1 

The moderate elevations, and the gentle declivities of the several valleys, cause 
the waters to flow in slow and uniform currents, and to assume, in very numerous 
instances, the form of lakes of greater or less extent. It is precisely such localities 
that afford the greatest facilities for Indian population. During the hunting sea¬ 
son, the wild man roams over the vast forests and prairies; but his village is 
always established near some lake or gently flowing river, abounding in fish and 
wild rice, and affording him a subsistence, either directly or indirectly, by enticing 
within his reach innumerable animals that seek their food at the same place. 


1 See Plate XXXYIII. 





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CHAPTER I. 


ANCIENT WORKS IN THE VICINITY OF LAKE MICHIGAN. 

Toe most southerly point on the west shore of Lake Michigan where traces of 
ancient labor can be found, is about four miles south of the “ State line” between 
Wisconsin and Illinois. These works are doubtless burial-places, and consist of a 
series of round or conical mounds, nine in number, from three to live feet in height, 
and about thirty feet in diameter, arranged in a serpentine row along the crest of 
a ridge of sand, an ancient lake beach, which extends for many miles along the 
lake shore. (See Fig. 1.) We first saw this beach in the road three miles north 
of Racine, and traced it at intervals into the State of Illinois. It has an elevation 
estimated at fifty feet above the present level of the lake, and at the mounds 
affords a good view of the country on both sides. It is here about half a mile 


Fig. 1. 



Mounds on the ancient Lake Beach, four miles south of the State line. 


distant from the lake. It consists of sand and gravel, and rests upon a bed of 
hard clay. There is no doubt that this ridge extends south to the end of the 
lake, and is connected with the remarkable series of ridges described by Prof. 
Shepard. 1 It is occupied by the main road from Milwaukee to Chicago, and is 
frequently so broad on the top as to afford room for buildings. 

We saw no other mounds, nor could we hear of any in this vicinity. Some sur¬ 
veys, however, made by Professor Lathrop, indicate that the “turtle” form extends 
down Rock River as far as Rockford, or within six miles of the Kishwaukee. Traces 


1 Amer. Journ. of Science and Arts, XXXIV. 134. 













G 


A XTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


were discovered between this place and the State line. We were told that the row 
of mounds found here was straight; but examination shows it to be otherwise. 
Their serpentine arrangement is not, however, deemed a matter of much import¬ 
ance ; for where no efforts were made to secure regularity, some such disposition of 
the mounds would be quite natural. A few miles south of this place is the town of 
Waukegan, which was formerly called Little Fort, in commemoration of the fact 
that something once existed there supposed to be the remains of a small fort; but 
whether or not it was the work of the aborigines, is not known. 

At the city of Kenosha we found, on the ancient sandy beach upon which the 
city is partly built, abundant evidence of a former manufactory of arrow-heads 
and other articles of flint. Several entire specimens were collected after a little 
search, besides numerous fragments that appear to have been spoiled in the process 
of chipping them into form. It is not easy to conceive how such work could be 
done at all with the scanty tools of the natives; and we are not surprised to find 
that there were many failures. The chips, or small fragments of flint, were very 
abundant in numerous places along the sandy ridge, especially near the “ Durkee 
House,” and in the vicinity of the burial-ground immediately south of the city. 
Many different kinds of flint, or more properly of chert, appear to have been 
wrought at this place, as is shown by the fragments. It is quite probable that 
the pebbles or boulders along the lake shore furnished the material employed by 
these early manufacturers; for flint of the same kind may be seen there in abund¬ 
ance. These pebbles are from the corniferous rock of Eaton, and here constitute 
a portion of the drift, being associated with the tough blue clay that underlies 
the sand, and is the basis of the whole country around. The clay is carried away 
by the dashing waves, leaving a beach of clean pebbles, kept constantly smooth 
and round by attrition. Numerous fragments of pottery, of the usual form and 
composition, were also found on the same sandy places. 

No ancient works were noticed along the valley of the Des Plaines 1 River, which 
here lies between Lake Michigan and the Pishtaka River. 

Proceeding northward from Kenosha, along the w r est shore of Lake Michigan, 
the next evidences of ancient labor are found at Racine; showing that, notwith¬ 
standing the great difference between the moral, social, political, and other con¬ 
ditions of the red and white man, they usually fix upon the same points as 
favorite places of residence. The map (Plate II.) will convey to the reader a 
correct idea of the interesting groups of works at this place. In the examination 
of them, and in the preparation of this map, I have been materially assisted by 
Dr. P. R. Hoy, of Racine. The works occupy tfie high ground ^ordering upon 
Root River, from one to two miles from the margin of the lake, and immediately 
back of the city limits. They consist mostly of circular burial-mounds, of no great 
size or height, with one circular inclosure, and several tapering ridges. ' There are 
also two semicircles opening on the edge of the bluff towards the river. The group 
of very numerous and remarkable mounds represented at the lower part of Plate II. 


1 Usually called “Aux Plaines.” , 








7 


ANCIENT WORKS IN THE 


V I C I N I T Y O F L A K E M I C III G A N. 


was surveyed with some minuteness, with a view to detecting the order of arrange¬ 
ment upon which they were constructed. The result shows very clearly that no 
order or system was adopted. Each person buried was placed where chance might 
lead the relatives or friends to select the spot. No three mounds could be found 
on the same straight line; indeed, it seems as if it were the intention of the 
builders to avoid all appearance of regularity. Large mounds are interspersed 
with smaller ones, without regard to symmetry or succession. 

Dr. Hoy has recently opened one of these mounds, and found in it the skeletons 
of seven persons, buried in a sitting posture, and facing the east. (See Fig. 2.) The 
bones were not accompanied by ornaments or articles of any kind that had resisted 
the destructive effects of time. The teeth of the adult skeletons were much worn, 


Fio. 2. 



but sound and firm. It was observed that the muscles of the jaws must have been 
unusually large and strong. The bones of the skull, except in one instance (pro¬ 
bably that of a female), were found to be remarkably thick and solid. These 
skeletons were much decayed, and could not be restored. The mound opened was 
seven feet high and fifty feet in diameter, being the largest of the group. A basin¬ 
shaped excavation had been made in the original soil, about eighteen inches deep, 
reaching to the gravelly subsoil, upon which the skeletons were placed side by 
side, all facing in the same direction. The legs, which had been laid horizontally, 
retained their original position; but the skulls and bones of the bodies were huddled 
together by the settling upon them of the earth in which they were placed. There 
were no indications of fire. 

Another mound of smaller dimensions, opened under my inspection, contained 
a confused mass of bones, also very much decayed, and resting upon the gravel, 
which was here two feet below the original surface. Bones of at least three incli- • 
viduals were discovered. Their confused condition might be owing to the custom, 
still prevalent among the Indians, of placing the bodies of those who die or are 
killed away from home, in trees, where they remain until the softer parts are 
decayed and gone, when the bones are collected and buried. No ornaments, or 
indeed remains of articles of any kind, could be found in this mound; nor was 
here any charcoal, burnt clay, or other indication of fire. 

These mounds were made from the surface soil; and no traces of excavations, or 
places whence the materials were taken, could be detected. It is not probable that 
the earth was penetrated more than a few inches to obtain the quantity necessary 




























8 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


to form the mounds, some of which are quite small, not more than one or two 
feet in height above the original surface of the ground. They are of various 
dimensions, from five to fifty feet in diameter, and from one to seven feet in height. 
Many of them are now nearly levelled by the plough. They may still, however, 
be detected in the cultivated fields by a trifling elevation, or by a slight difference 
in the color of the soil. In one case, at least, the plough had turned up the bones 
from beneath. 

The plank road leading from the city to Rochester and Burlington, on the 
Pishtaka River, 1 passes near this great group of ancient mounds. Many of them 
are on the line of another road, and are levelled from time to time by the in¬ 
habitants in working out their road tax, without regard to the sacred deposits they 
contain ; and in a few years, all traces of them will be gone for ever. This spot 
was probably the common cemetery for the neighboring tribes, and not their place 
of residence. Its situation, on the level ground back from the river and bluff’ and 
at the head of a deep and narrow ravine, may be adduced as an evidence of this. 
The fact that seven bodies were buried in one mound apparently at the same time, 
and three or more in another, seems to indicate that many died simultaneously by 
some calamity. 

Subsequently to my visit to this locality, Dr. Hoy informs me that he “had the 
good fortune to obtain two vases of pottery from one of the mounds. They were 
in a gravel-pit, two feet and a half below the original surface of the ground, in 
immediate contact with the fragments of two skeletons much decayed. One is 
made of cream-colored clay and white sand, quite similar in composition to our 
pale bricks. It has a nearly uniform thickness of about one-fifth of an inch, and 
was originally quite smooth and hard. I have so far restored it as to render it a 
good specimen. It would hold about five quarts, being seven inches in diameter 
at the mouth, and eleven and a half inches high. The other is of a red, brick 
color, about half as large, much thicker and coarser, and crumbled a good deal in 
handling. A considerable portion of gravel was used in connection with the clay 
in its fabrication.” 

Dr. Hoy further adds: “Some workmen, in digging a ditch through a peat 
swamp, near Racine, found a deposit of disks of hornstone, about thirty in 
number. They were immediately on the clay at the bottom of the peat, about two 
feet and a half below the surface. Some of the disks were quite regular; they 
vary from half a pound to a pound in weight.” 

The following account of the ancient works near Racioe, furnished by Dr. Iloy, 
will be found to contain additional details, with some inferences in regard to their 
age, and the character of the people who made them. 

“The most numerous and extensive group is situated one mile west of the city. 
It embraces sepulchral mounds, all small, from one to eight feet high, unaccom¬ 
panied by circles, effigies, or other earth-works. The city cemetery, just located, 
embraces a part of these mounds, which will be preserved, adding not only beauty 
but interest to the rural spot. 


1 Or Fox River of the Illinois. 



ANCIENT WORKS IN THE VICINITY OF LAKE MICHIGAN. 9 


“ On the point of the high bluff marked A on the map (Plate II.) is a mound 
six feet high, in connection with an embankment 235 feet long. This embank¬ 
ment is two feet high, and twelve feet wide at the point nearest to the mound, and 
tapers gradually to a mere point at its western extremity, near a spring. I am 
informed that there were formerly other works connected with this, which have 
been obliterated by cultivation and other improvements. (An enlarged plan of 
this interesting group is shown on Plate II.) 

“ A little further east, on the same side of the river, is a single low mound, 
occupying the projecting point of a bluff. Opposite this, on the north bank of the 
stream, there is a cluster of mounds crowded into a small space, bounded on the 
east by a long mound, and on the west by a ‘lizard mound’ 1 eighty feet long. 

“ The remaining works, situated on the bluff north of those last named, consist 
of three lizards, one oblong and six conical tumuli, and three inclosures. The 
two semicircular embankments are situated on an almost inaccessible bluff eighty 
feet high. The embankments are slight, not over one foot in elevation, and ten or 
twelve feet broad, but perfectly distinct and well defined. There is some evidence 
that they formerly constituted graded ways leading to the river. They are tolerably 
well situated for works of defence, but, without the addition of palisades, could 
afford no protection. The small circle, from its size and position, could scarcely 
have been designed for a work of defence. Neither of these has any perceptible 
ditch on either side; if one formerly existed, it is now obliterated. The ‘lizards’ 
are much alike, from two to two and a half feet high, and from twelve to fourteen 
feet broad at the shoulders, the tail gradually tapering to a point. The longest is 
130 feet, and the shortest 80 feet in length. 

“ In addition to the works represented on Plate II., there is a cluster of eight 
mounds, situated on a sandy ridge, three-fourths of a mile further south. 

“I opened one of the lizards, but found nothing. We excavated fourteen of the 
mounds, some with the greatest possible care; they are all sepulchral, of a uniform 
construction, as represented by Fig. 2. Most of them contained more than one 
skeleton; in one instance, we found no less than seven. We could detect no 
appearance of stratification, each mound having been built at one time, and not 
by successive additions. During these investigations, we obtained sufficient 
evidence to warrant me in forming the following conclusions. The bodies were 
regularly buried in a sitting or partly kneeling posture, facing the east, with the 
legs flexed under them. They were covered with a bark or log roofing, over which 
the mound was built. The apparent confusion in which the skeletons are some¬ 
times found, is owing to their falling over at different angles, at the time, perhaps, 
of the giving way and caving in of the temporary roofing. It is quite common 
to find skeletons before reaching the primitive receptacle or pit. These were 
undoubtedly subsequent interments, made by the modern Indians. They are in a 


1 This appellation is given for convenience to a class of mounds having two projections or legs 011 
one side near the larger extremity, without pretending that they were actually intended to represent 
lizards. 

2 



10 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


different state of preservation, and are mostly found in an extended posture. All 
the primitive crania were crushed and flattened by the weight of the superincum¬ 
bent materials. In two instances, however, I succeeded, by great care and labor, 
in restoring these flattened fragments to their original shape. One of them is 
represented on Plate LIII. It was found in one of the mounds of the crowded 
group on the north side of the river. The two are much alike, and quite different 
in several particulars from the various Indian crania that I have examined. The 
zygomatic arch has not the same projection, the angle of the cheek-bone is more 
obtuse, and the orbits are rather less angular than in the modern Indian. The 
heavy, projecting jaw, and the flattened occiput, are quite characteristic of these 
ancient mound skulls. Facial angle, 76°. Internal capacity, eighty cubic inches. 

“No implements or ornaments were observed in the mounds, excepting in three 
instances, in which rude pottery was found. The shape of the pots is precisely 
similar to those said to be used by the Burmese for all culinary operations. 
They place three stones in a triangle to support the pot in a perpendicular 
position. 

“ The disks of hornstone were obtained while digging a ditch through a peat 
swamp one-fourth of a mile south of the mounds represented on the plate. (Plate 
II.) About forty were taken out. They were situated immediately on the clay 
stratum, underneath the peat, which was two feet thick at this point. A number 
of arrow-heads and stone axes have been found in the vicinity. 

“ In regard to the antiquity of the works at Racine, it may be stated that, 
on the mound from which I obtained the potter}’, there was a burr-oak stump 
(Quercus macrocarpa), which contained two hundred and fifty rings; and the tree 
was cut ten years since, when the land was first occupied. Near this I excavated 
another mound, on the centre of which were the remains of a large stump which 
must have been much older. Immediately under the centre of this stump I 
obtained the cranium before mentioned. A stump on the long mound at A 
(Plate II.) has 310 rings; and near by are the remains of a large tree, and an oak 
stump five feet in diameter. These facts indicate an antiquity of at least a 
thousand years. 

“In conclusion, I must remark that whatever be the legitimate inference 
drawn from similar works and remains in other places, concerning the state of 
civilization attained by the mound-builders, the evidence here goes to prove that 
they were an extremely barbarous people, in no respect superior to most of the 
savage tribes of the modern Indians.” 

Much care has been taken to present an exact figure of the skull discovered by 
Dr. Hoy, which he proposes to contribute to the museum of the Smithsonian 
Institution. 

Between Racine and Milwaukee we found a single mound, which was six feet 
high, and the remains of one or two more about half a mile below the place where 
the main road crosses Oak Creek. This mound was more than usually steep on 
its sides, and may consequently be supposed to be of recent origin, time not having 
levelled it down as much as those of greater antiquity. A mound that had been 


A N C I E X T WORKS 1 X THE VI € 1 N ITY O E LAKE MICHIGAX. 1 [ 


removed several years since, disclosed a number of skeletons of human beings, and 
an earthen cup said to hold about a pint. 1 


1 During the investigations of which the results are here given, I was often led to examine places 
supposed to be the work of the aborigines, but which proved to be attributable to other than artificial 
causes. On the northwest quarter of section fifteen, in the town of Lake, three miles south of Mil¬ 
waukee, are three elevations, supposed by some to be artificial. They are composed of gravel and small 
boulders, and fragments of limestone ; materials seldom used by the mound-buiklers. They are larger 
than any artificial mounds heretofore discovered in this State, though not larger than some in Ohio and 
other portions of the West. There are numerous other swells similar to these iu the vicinity, though 
not so regularly conical. These undulations of the surface were produced by the same causes that 
transported to this region from the north the vast superficial deposits known to geologists under the 
name of drift. One mile north of this place we stopped to examine an embankment extending across 
the road, which was at first supposed to be artificial, and to represent the “serpent.” (See Fig. 3.) 


Fig. 3. 



Beaver Jam, four miles south from Milwaukee. 

It was traced for about 150 feet west of the road, where it gradually disappeared as the sloping ground 
became more elevated. Towards the east it gradually enlarged. It was irregularly curved, or serpen¬ 
tine, in its shape. At a short distance to the cast it had been worn through by a small stream, but 
continued again, until it gradually disappeared as before, on the gently rising ground beyond the creek. 
It had evidently once been continuous across the stream, where it was largest and highest. Above the 
embankment was a marsh covered with flags (In's versicolor ) and sedges (a species of Car ex), where 
evidently a pond had once existed. This embankment was the work of the beaver, being the remains 
of a “ beaver dam.” These industrious animals have left as indelible traces of their former existence 
here as have the mound-builders. Their works are scattered very extensively over the State, causing, 
as in this instance, many of the “cat-holes,” or marshy places in the woods. The remains of their 
“washes,” left on the sloping banks above the dams, have been mistaken for Indian excavations in 
search of lead or other ores, &c. 

But the most remarkable natural appearances we were led to examine were the ridges in a large 
natural meadow in the town of Brookfield, Waukesha County, which were supposed to be artificial 


































































12 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN 


The relative position and extent of the earthworks in the vicinity of Milwaukee, 
will appear on reference to the map, Plate III. They extend from Kinnickinnic 
Creek, near the place known as the Indian Fields, to a point six miles above the 
city. It will be observed that they occupy the high grounds along the margin of 
the river and streams, but not on the immediate shore of the lake. Although the 
mound-builders often occupied the margin of the smaller lakes in the interior, they 
seldom or never selected the immediate shore of Lake Michigan for the site of 
their works. 


representations of the Massasauga rattle-snake. My attention was first called to them by Mr. M. 
Spears, who detected them. They vary from a few inches to two feet in height, above the otherwise 
uniformly level surface of the marshy ground; and in length they vary from ten or fifteen to one 
hundred and forty feet. Many of them are obtuse at one end, and tapering and acute at the other, 
as if intended to represent the head and tail of a snake; others are acute at both extremities. (See 
Fig. 4.) The accompanying figures show their appearance and relative situation. Some are so 

Fig. 4. 


■MU 



Serpent-form ridges, Brookfield. 


arranged that, were they larger and differently situated, we might suppose them portions of a fort, with 
a guarded entrance. They are composed of the same black mucky earth that constitutes the surface 
soil of the marsh. They have all the same general direction, being parallel, or nearly so, with that 
of the marsh. There are great numbers of these ridges, not less, perhaps, than one hundred on this 
marsh. 

To understand how these ridges were probably formed, we must take into account the soft nature of 
the surface soil; and the fact that, except in the driest portion of the year, it is completely saturated 
or covered with water. The ice formed on the surface in winter must therefore include a considerable 
portion of the soil. During very cold weather, this covering of ice contracts, leaving in the middle of 
the marsh numerous irregular cracks, probably assuming the arrangement and directions of these ridges. 
As the temperature moderates, the ice expands, closing up the cracks, but moving towards them a 
portion of the soil, and leaving a slight elevation. The next winter, the same thing is repeated ; but 
the ice being thinner on these slight ridges, it would naturally separate where they occur: and thus the 
same ridges are enlarged from year to year, until they assume the size and shape now so much resembling 
serpents. We afterwards saw similar ridges in several other marshes. 












ANCIENT WORKS IN THE VICINITY OF LAKE MICHIGAN. 13 


The banks of rivers appear to have been their favorite localities! and in this 
respect they resemble the present Indians, who select sites commanding a view 
of the country around them (so as to be able to detect the first approach of an 
enemy), and near hunting and fishing grounds. They appear also to have had an 
eye for the beautiful as well as the useful, in choosing their places of abode. 

From the same hills on which are found these mounds, the workmen, in grading 
streets, digging foundations for buildings, preparing terraces for gardens, &c., often 
disinter the skeleton of an Indian, with its accompanying ornaments, and perhaps 
his brass kettle placed at the head. A number of the skulls thus brought to light 
were sent to Dr. S. G. Morton, to be used in the preparation of his Crania 
Americana. 1 

The bluffs along the Milwaukee River, on which these works are mostly situated, 
have an elevation of from 30 to 100 feet above the water. They are usually quite 
steep, though not so much so, except in one or two places, as to be precipitous. 

There is evidence, drawn from the presence of deposits of fresh-water shells in 
layers of sand and gravel, that the waters of the lake at this place once stood at 
a level considerably above their present height; and at that time much of the site 
of the present city was submerged. The bluffs were then washed by the waters 
of the bay, and presented steep broken fronts. The banks were gradually under¬ 
mined, and slides of considerable extent occurred precisely as is now seen on the 
present margin of the lake. Whether this subsidence was subsequent to the erec¬ 
tion of the mounds, is uncertain, their situation being such as to throw no definite 
light upon the subject. There are no works below that level that can lay claim 
to great antiquity. 

The ancient works about Milwaukee are most numerous at a place near the 
small creek called the Kinnickinnic, and on lands known as the Indian Fields. 
They are chiefly in section twelve, township six, and range twenty-one, town of 
Greenfield. When the country was first settled (in 1836), the place was destitute 
of trees, and exhibited signs of recent Indian occupancy and cultivation. The 
creek borders it on the south and west, and an extensive swamp on the north and 
east, thus separating it from the adjacent country, and rendering it secure from 
sudden surprise or attack, without the necessity of extensive works of defence. 
It will be observed, as we proceed, that similar circumstances were often taken 
advantage of by these careful people. 

The fields lie at a considerable elevation above the bottom-lands of the creek, 
and are much broken and uneven in surface. The soil is loose, sandy, or gravelly, 
and could be easily worked by the rude instruments of the aborigines; which may 
have been an inducement for selecting this spot. The subsoil is gravel, to an 
unknown depth. The Milwaukee and Janesville plank road passes through the 
fields; and the wood land adjoining has been adopted on account of its gravelly 
soil, undulating surface, and beautiful forest-trees, as the site of a cemetery for the 
city, named appropriately the “ Forest Home.” 


1 See that work, p. 179. 




14 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


Fig. 5. 



About fifty circular mounds, and four or five of the lizard form, have been 
found here. Some of these can yet be traced, though the plough has made sad 
havoc with most of them. Two of the latter class were here associated in a 

manner not observed elsewhere in the State. (See Fig. 5.) One is two hundred 

and fifty feet in length. It is not asserted 

that these figures were meant by the builders 

to represent an animal of the lizard form, or an 
animal at all. Still their great numbers in the 
eastern part of the State, and their uniformity 
of general outline, show that this peculiarity 
of form was not without design. It has been 
suggested that they may have been intended 
to represent a war-club with points set in, as 
is common among some savage tribes; but the 
attenuated form of the extremity would seem 
to oppose this idea. 

As is the case with the works of other forms, 
there are no two precisely alike in their dimen¬ 
sions, or in their direction with reference to the 
cardinal points. But it has been observed that the larger extremity, or head, 
is usually directed towards the south. They vary in length from one hundred to 
four hundred feet. The usual height of the body may be stated at four feet; from 
which there is commonly a gradual diminution both in height and width to the 
extremity. It is frequently impossible to decide exactly where it terminates. 
They are almost always associated with mounds of round or oblong form, usually 
having about the same general direction. When they occupy the edge of elevated 
ground, the head generally points obliquely towards the low ground; and the 
projections or “legs” are on the side towards the ridge. (See Plate V.) 

On the land of Mr. Geo. 0. Tiffany, half a mile south of Forest Home Ceme¬ 
tery, is a sort of inclosure opposite some very large springs. (See Plate IV. No 1.) 
The walls are about eighteen inches high, and three or four feet wide. It is on a 
level flat, from which there is a descent of about eight feet to the springs. The 
wall is double, as shown by the figure, the outer one interrupted by two gateways. 
There are some irregular excavations within the inclosure. Large trees grow 
upon and near the works, constituting a dense forest of thrifty growth. The flat 
on which these works are built terminates in the rear by high hills surmounted by 
the mounds before described. 

There can be no doubt that this wall of earth is the only remaining trace of 
some building erected here on account of the copious springs opposite the main open¬ 
ing ; but the nature of the edifice can only be conjectured. Perhaps it may have 
consisted of palisades or timbers set in the ground, against which a bank of earth 
was erected to secure greater strength and permanency. There is no regular ditch 
accompanying the wall, as is found in similar works in New York and elsewhere. 
Immediately above these works another was traced, with a ditch very irregular in 
its form, direction, and dimensions, which proved to have been the work of the 






ANCIENT WORKS IN THE VICINITY OF LAKE MICHIGAN. 15 

beaver. This industrious little animal had here set up a colony, and erected his 
works; his “nation” has had its rise, and its decline and fall, since the aboriginal 
structures were abandoned. 

Further up the creek, on the west side, north of the plank road, and not far 
from some very large mounds, are three similar works, except that they are not 
on the immediate bank of the creek. Two of them are represented in Fig. 6. 


Fig. 6. 



The inclosure is about one hundred feet long, and thirty wide, in its greatest 
dimensions. The opening at d appears to have been caused by the washing away 
of the earth by the rain that fell within the inclosure. The walls were nine feet 
wide and one foot high. The small size of these inclosures prevents their ranking 
with the “works of defence” or other extensive embankments described in the first 
and second volumes of the Smithsonian Contributions; and we can only suppose 
them to be the remains of ancient buildings, or structures of some kind, needful 
in the simple condition of those who erected them. 

A few rods east of the cemetery, on the land of Mrs. Hull, may be seen a re¬ 
markable excavation, surrounded in part by the earth thrown from it. (See Plate 
IX. Fig. 1.) It has four sloping ways or entrances, one of them very much 
elongated; and the reader will not fail to discover in its general figure that of a 
lizard mound reversed. There are other similar excavations to be described here¬ 
after ; from some of which, if we could take a cast and reverse it, we should have 
an exact representation of a lizard mound. 

At Walker’s Point were several circular mounds and lizard mounds, now dug 
away in the process of grading streets. One of them, exhibited in section, was 


Fig. 7. 



examined during the excavation, and found to be composed of whitish clay, of 
uniform texture and appearance. The blue, yellow, and red clays, found abund- 
































16 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


antly in the country, all assume a whitish color upon exposure at the surface; and 
it is, therefore, not difficult to account for the difference in the color of the clay 
composing this mound, without resorting to the improbable conjecture that it was 
brought from a great distance. The several layers of soil, brown subsoil, and blue 
clay, run uninterruptedly under the mound, showing that it was built upon the 
natural surface. (See Fig. 7.) No excavation had been made, and no relics of 
any kind were found in it. Indeed, the animal-shaped mounds have never been 
found productive in ancient relics or works of art. It was probably for purposes 
other than the burial of the dead, that these structures were made. 

Only one locality has been discovered on the east side of the Milwaukee River 
where the mound-builders erected their mysterious works. This was at the inter¬ 
section of Johnson and Main streets, where there were formerly two lizard mounds, 
and some others, as represented on Plate Y. On one of these is given the dimen¬ 
sions in feet, showing the method usually adopted in surveying these earthworks. 
One of the mounds has a slight angle near the extremity of the tail, as represented 
in the plate ; but this is not very common. The other figure is of the more com¬ 
mon form. These figures are in their normal position, being on high ground near 
the edge of a hill or bank, their heads towards the south, legs towards the bank, 
and their general direction obliquely towards the edge of the bank. A simple oval 
mound, and one with arms or wings, are seen near the lizards; and a few rods to 
the north was an oval ring, whose diameters were forty-four and thirty-one feet. 
The wall was nine feet wide, and only one foot in height. 

On the west side of the river, within the limits of the city, were numerous 
mounds occupying the several promontories overlooking the city and bay. The 
most remarkable group was near the intersection of Walnut with Sixth Street, as 
represented on Plate VI. Four different varieties of structures may be seen. 
The oblong (a), which is simply a ridge of earth; the lizard ( b ), an elongated ridge 
terminating in a point at one end, and having two projections or legs at the other; 
the winged mound (c), being a circular tumulus, with two long, slightly curved 
arms or wings; and the anomalous mound ( d ), differing from the ordinary form by 
having the legs on opposite sides, instead of the same side. These works were, in 
1836, covered with a dense forest. The oblong, at a in the plan, appears to have 
been the “observatory,” being in a very conspicuous place, from which may be seen 
all the works, wdiile in the opposite direction there is presented a magnificent view 
of the valley of the river, and the bay of Lake Michigan, now called Milwaukee 
Bay. It is eighty-three feet long, twenty wide, and four in height. 

Two of these mounds were opened, but produced nothing beyond the fragment 
of a bone, and a slight admixture of carbonaceous matter near the original surface. 
They were composed of the same tough, reddish, sfmdy clay that constitutes the 
adjacent soil. There are two large natural elevations or mounds near these works, 
and upon the summit of one was a small “ winged mound.” The other, though 
the largest, was apparently not occupied by the aborigines. In that part of the 
city known as Sherman’s Addition, w r e first find mounds of undoubted animal forms. 
One of these (Plate IV. Fig. 2) is on ground covered by the corn hills of the pre¬ 
sent race of Indians, who occupied the lands in this vicinity down to a very late 


ANCIENT WORKS IN 


THE VICINITY OF 


LAKE MICHIGAN. 


17 


period. It may be considered as a rude representation of a wolf or fox guarding 
the sacred deposits in the large though low mound immediately before it. Both of 
these are of so little elevation as to be scarcely observed by the passer by; but 
when once attention is arrested, there is no difficulty in tracing their outlines. 
The body of the animal is forty-four feet, and the tail sixty-three in length. A 
more graceful animal form was found on block No. 36. (See Plate VII. Fig. 2.) 
It may be regarded as the representation of an otter. Length of head and neck, 
twenty-six feet; body, fifty feet; tail, seventy feet. Its direction is a little south 
of west. 

Whatever may be said in regard to the mounds which I have denominated 
“ lizards,” there can be no doubt that they do, and were intended to represent the 
forms of animals. But what shall we say of the next figure (Plate VII. Fig. 3), 
with its long, slightly curved arms ? If, like some others hereafter described, it 
had a beak, it would be considered a representation of one of the feathered tribe; 
or, if it had legs as well as a body, it might be deemed a rude imitation of the 
human form. We may suppose that in the lapse of ages these works have been 
more or less modified by natural causes, and also that portions were constructed 
of different and more perishable materials, now entirely gone. This figure points 
almost directly south. It is thirty-four feet long, the arms being sixty feet. It 
was surveyed by me a number of years since, and was almost immediately after¬ 
wards removed to prepare the foundation of a house. IIow many more of these 
interesting structures have been lost to the antiquary, by being destroyed before a 
plan and record of them were made, it is impossible to determine; but their 
number must be very great. 

Proceeding up the river, we find the next works on the school section, between 
the plank road from Milwaukee to Humboldt and the river. (See Plate VII. No. 
4.) They consist of three lizard mounds, and four of the oblong form, occupying 
a high level plateau completely covered with the original forest trees. 

We next find, on sections twenty-nine and thirty, in township eight, and range 
twenty-two, on the west side of the river, at a place usually known as the Indian 
Prairie, about five miles north of the city of Milwaukee, a very interesting system 
or group of works. They are situated on a beautiful level plain, elevated about 
thirty feet above the river, which runs along the eastern border. The bank of the 
river is nearly perpendicular, forming a safe protection against attack from that 
direction. It may be seen by the map presented (Plate VIII.), that these works 
are further protected on the north and south by deep ravines. The works are all 
included within these natural defences. Whether they were ever protected on the 
west seems doubtful. No traces of embankment or ditch could be found, nor any 
indication of other modes of defence usually adopted by uncivilized nations. There 
may have been defences of wood, long since decayed. 

There are two principal mounds situated near the middle of this space. They 
are both fifty-three feet in diameter at the base, where they almost touch each 
other, and eight feet high. The southern one has a level area of twenty-five feet 
diameter at the top. 

3 


18 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


It often occurs in a group of works like this, that one mound is erected on the 
highest position, from the top of which the whole may be seen. These may be 
called the “ Observatories,” a name that in this case belongs to the mound with the 
level area. It may also have been the place of sacrifice or altar-mound; but of 
this we can only judge from the analogy in form and position to similar works 
which elsewhere were undoubtedly used for that purpose. Surrounding these are 
numerous tumuli of a circular form, the exact relative positions of which were 
ascertained by survey, and represented on the map. No definite system or order 
of arrangement was observed, as will be evident on inspection. 

These tumuli are from two to four feet high, and from ten to fifty-four feet in 
diameter at the base; many of them being unusually broad in proportion to their 
height. None are so high and prominent as the two first mentioned. The two 
mounds in the form of a cross at the southern extremity of this group will at once 
attract the attention of the reader. An enlarged plan is given of one, with its 
dimensions. The head of the cross is level on the top and rectangular. This 
form of mound is frequently found in Wisconsin. 

But what marks this locality as one of peculiar interest, is the discovery of five 
works of excavation, of regular form, being the reverse of the usual works. In¬ 
stead of an embankment of earth thrown up, we have here a cavity in the ground. 
Four of the excavations lie in a southwest direction from the two larger central 
mounds. In approaching the former from the latter, a small trail or path is dis¬ 
covered, which gradually becomes larger and deeper, until it leads into a sunken 
area surrounded by embankments, composed probably of the earth thrown out of 
the excavation. Upon looking back, it is perceived that this pathway goes directly 
to the mounds. These excavations are shown on an enlarged scale on Plate IX. 
Figures 2 and 3. There are usually three curved entrances to each excavation, as 
shown in the figures. 

The other excavation is similar to these, except that it lacks the long guarded 
way or approach, leading towards a mound; though the principal openings are 
towards the “Observatories.” (Plate IX. Fig. 4.) It is quite probable that the 
bottom of these pits was once level, and that the sides were perpendicular, or nearly 
so; but now they have a gentle slope, and the bottom is concave, as shown by the 
sections. (Plate IX. Figs. 2 and 4.) With our present limited knowledge of the 
habits of the people who constructed these works, it would perhaps be idle to 
attempt to conjecture for what purposes the excavations were made. What 
structures of wood may have been Connected with them is of course unknown. 
All traces of so perishable a material would long since have entirely disappeared. 

The earth thrown from one of these excavations encroaches slightly upon the 
path leading to another, thus indicating (unless this circumstance has been caused 
by rains), that they were made at different times. Indeed, it is hardly to be sup¬ 
posed that any extensive system of works was ever planned out by the aborigines, 
and built up at one time. Those we find were doubtless the results of successive 
efforts, perhaps by separate and distinct generations, and even in some instances 
by distinct tribes. 

We observed four small circular inclosures, about thirty feet in diameter, the 


ANCIENT WORKS IN THE VICINITY OF LAKE MICHIGAN. 19 


ridge having no great breadth or elevation. One circle surrounded a cavity two 
feet deep, in which was growing a group of basswood-trees (Tilia americana ) of 
large size. There are at this locality two crosses, two oblong and twenty-two cir¬ 
cular mounds, and five excavations. 

Although this spot has long since ceased to be the residence of an Indian popu¬ 
lation, yet it is annually visited by a few families, and numerous traces of their 
presence are still visible. Many of the mounds have been opened for the burial of 
the remains of Indians recently deceased; and we saw on one mound three graves 
but lately formed. They were secured from the ravages of the w r olves and other 
animals, by logs of wood held in their places by four stakes, in the manner repre¬ 
sented on Plate VIII. Only one kind of wood is used on the same grave, there 
being no mixture of different trees on any. One grave was covered with logs of 
iron-wood (Ostrya virginica ), the other two with those of oak; even the stakes are 
of the same wood as the logs. These logs were from four to six inches in diameter, 
and four and a half feet long. The grounds in the neighborhood, and for some 
distance north and south of the ravines forming the boundaries of the more 
ancient works, are covered with those common mammillary elevations known as 
“ Indian corn-hills.” They are without order of arrangement, being scattered over 
the surface with the utmost irregularity. That these hillocks w r ere formed in 
the manner indicated by their name, is inferred from the present custom of the 
Indians. The corn is planted in the same spot each successive year, and the soil 
is gradually brought up to the size of a little hill by the annual additions. This 
is the work of the women. 

At the southern extremity of these remains, another evidence of former cultiva¬ 
tion occurs, consisting of low, broad, parallel ridges, as if corn had been planted in 
drills. They average four feet in width, twenty-five of them having been counted 
in the space of a hundred feet; and the depth of the walk between them is about 
six inches. These appearances, which are here denominated “ ancient garden- 
beds,” indicate an earlier and more perfect system of cultivation than that 
which now prevails; for the present Indians do not appear to possess the ideas 
of taste and order necessary to enable them to arrange objects in consecutive rows. 
Traces of this kind of cultivation, though not very abundant, are found in several 
other parts of the State. 

But, however ancient these garden-beds may be, they were not made until long 
after the erection of the earthworks; for, as will be seen (Plate VIII.), they 
extend across them in the same manner as they do the adjoining grounds. Hence 
it is evident that this cultivation was not until after the mounds had lost their 
sacred character in the eyes of the occupants of the soil; for it can hardly be 
supposed that works executed with so much care would be thus desecrated by 
their builders. The original inhabitants must therefore have been succeeded at 
an early period by probably another race, and the labors of the white man have 
consequently not alone tended to obliterate these vestiges of an ancient people. 

We have thus traced four probable epochs in the history of this interesting 
locality. 1st. The period of the mound-builders, who, perhaps, selected it on 
account of its naturally secure position. 2d. That of the “garden-bed” culti- 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN 


20 

vators. 3d. That of occupancy by the modern race of Indians. 4th. The present 
period, -when their descendants continue to visit it, and to bring hither the remains 
of their departed friends. 

A few circular mounds, but no other works, are found near Saukville, on the 
Milwaukee River, in Ozaukee County. At this place was discovered one of 
the most regular and best finished stone axes that we have obtained. A little 
further west, on the road to Newburgh, is a group of oblong embankments, occu¬ 
pying the end and flanks of a ridge, as represented on Plate X. Here is a mound 
established, as is usual, on the highest point; and if the forest were removed, it 
would command a very extensive view of the surrounding country. Whether the 
peculiar arrangement of these oblong elevations is the result of design or accident, 
is not easily determined. There can be little donbt that the place was a station 
for a look-out, or post of a sentinel, whose duty it might be to give notice of the 
approach of an enemy, or perhaps to detect the presence of game in the country. 
The earthworks are not of such magnitude, nor are they so arranged, as to justify 
the conclusion that they constituted a work of defence; and they may be only 
receptacles of the last remains of some distinguished persons. 

On the south side of the Milwaukee River, in the town of Trenton, are several 
groups of works not visited by me. One of them, surveyed by my friend, Mr. L. 
L. Sweet, is represented on Plate X., and, as described by him, consists of a turtle, 
two crosses, two club-shaped, three oblong, and five conical mounds. They are 
situated on lots numbered six and seven, of section eighteen, in township eleven, and 
range twenty. “ I carefully noted,” says Mr. Sweet, “ the dimensions, &c., of the 
most important of these mounds, and send you the result. The largest cruciform 
figure is one hundred and eighty-five feet in length of trunk; the head, twenty- 
four feet long; the arms, seventy-two feet each; the height at the head, three 
feet ten inches; at the centre, four feet six inches. Uniform width of the head 
at the base, twenty-eight feet. The shaft gradually diminished in height and width 
to a point at the end. The appearance is that of a cross sunk in light earth, in 
which the lower extremity is still buried beneath the surface. I was forcibly 
struck with the fact that the arms were of exactly equal length, and at right angles 
to the trunk. I felt and said, Here is order and design; but what that design 
is, we probably never shall know. Is it possible that the people who constructed 
these works found their way to this continent after the Christian Era ? Perhaps 
not; yet curiosity will make the inquiry. Two round mounds near the foot of 
this cross are each three feet high, and twenty and twenty-two feet in diameter at 
the base. The oblong bears N. 22° E., and is sixty-eight feet long, twenty-two 
wide, and four feet five inches high; the ends are square.” 

“ The smaller cross is one hundred and sixty feet long; the head, twenty-two 
feet; the arms, each fifty-one feet; the height two feet eight inches. It terminates 
in a point, and resembles the large one in every respect. The body of the “turtle” 
is twenty-two feet long, and fifteen feet wide; the head, four feet long; the height 
three feet eight inches. It has but three legs, one of which seems to have been 
left unfinished or destroyed. The head is towards the river. There are some other 
small mounds in the vicinity, not represented on the plate. The ground on which 


ANCIENT WORKS IN THE VICINITY OF LAKE MICHIGAN. 21 

these works are situated has a gentle inclination towards the river, the banks of 
which are about three and a half feet high ; the water has but a moderate current. 
The soil is composed of a dark sand, with a slight admixture of loam.” 

I am further indebted to Mr. Sweet for a survey and brief notice of the group 
of works on section thirty-one, township twelve, range twenty, represented on Plate 
XI. They consist mostly of ridges of earth from three to four feet high, and from 
twelve to fifteen feet wide at the base, and are of various lengths. They are sup¬ 
posed to have been originally square at the ends, but now are rounded by the effects 
of rain, &c. One mound, one hundred and thirty-two feet in length, is shaped like 
a war-club. “It has been asserted,” says Mr. Sweet, “that this was a regular fort, 
being an inclosure; but on a careful examination, I find it is not so. The long 
mound (thirty-two rods in length) with another at right angles to it, upon a hasty 
examination, might suggest that idea; but the full survey shows that the conclusion 
would be a wrong one. The land here and for some distance around is level, the 
soil sandy, lightly timbered with iron-wood (Ostrya virginica ) and sugar maple, 
with no large trees. There are no streams of water within half a mile of these 
mounds.” The last mentioned circumstance is rather unusual. 

There are said to be other localities still further up the Milwaukee River; but 
their exact situation could not be ascertained, nor could I obtain any reliable 
account of their character and extent. 

Proceeding northward, in the vicinity of the west shore of Lake Michigan, we 
find the next ancient works on the Sheboygan River. 

Plate XII. shows the general character of a very interesting group at the country 
residence of Dr. J. F. Seely, on a prominent point of land on the north side of the 
river, three miles above its mouth. They are in the northeast quarter of section 
twenty-eight, in township fifteen, and range twenty-two. The mounds are mostly 
of the kind called “ lizards,” though presenting some remarkable variations from 
the usual type of the species, as a naturalist would say. In one the tail is crooked, 
with a double curve of serpentine form; in another it makes a considerable angle 
with the body; and a third has the front leg or projection extended forward. Two 
of the mounds are apparently of the same general character, except that they have 
two gradually tapering extensions or tails, projecting in opposite directions, as will 
be seen by reference to the plate. At the Doctor’s house is a work consisting of 
three nearly parallel ridges, united at the southern extremity, not far from the edge 
of the steep hill on which the preceding works are situated. They are about two 
hundred feet in length, but have only a slight breadth and elevation. 

This promontory resembles in its general form the fortified hills so often found 
in Northern Ohio and in New York; but, after a careful search, no trace could be 
found of a wall extending across from one hill to the other. The occupants pro- • 
bably relied for defence upon the natural security of the position, as in numerous 
other instances in Wisconsin. 

Other works are known to exist towards the head of this fine stream. 

With the exception of a few small mounds near the village of Manitowoc, we 
have now described all the ancient works in the vicinity of the “ Great Lake.” 
The last named are situated on the northeast quarter of township nineteen, half a 


22 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


mile northwest of the village. One of them was penetrated to some depth below 
the original surface, but not the least trace of any deposit could be detected. Pits 
had been dug in several other mounds, and, so far as we could learn, uniformly 
with the same negative results. The soil here is sandy, and the materials of the 
mounds consist of sand, with spots of darker color or mould, as if portions of the 
surface soil were mixed with the sand. There are eight mounds, situated on a 
level plain elevated about sixty feet above the river, to which there is a very steep 
descent. They are not exactly round, but of an oval form: the longest diameter 
lying in a north and south direction, or at right angles with the steep bank. 

The following notice of the works near Manitowoc 7 is from a letter written by 
Mr. Charles Musson of that place. “ There are some mounds and embankments, 
or breastworks (or what seem to have been used for that purpose), found about 
half a mile northwest from the town, on a high, level, and dry piece of ground of 
considerable extent. These embankments now rise to the height of about four 
feet; their breadth at the base being from ten to twelve feet. In one place there 
are two, ranging north and south, parallel to each other; one about thirty rods, 
the other forty rods long, and seventy rods apart. They present every appearance 
of having been works of defence for two contending parties. In the vicinity of the 
breastworks, between and to the south of them, are about twelve mounds, varying 
in size; some are as large as fifteen feet in diameter at the base, and eight feet in 
height. Some of these have been opened, and, I think, in one bones were found; 
but nothing certain can now be known. It seems highly probable that this might 
have been a battle ground, and these mounds the burial-places of the slain. The 
suggestion is not the less probable from the fact of there not being anything in 
them which can be recognized as human remains. For it is certain, from the size of 
the trees now growing on the apparent fortifications, that they must have been 
erected centuries ago; some are pine trees four feet in diameter.” 

These works are supposed to be the northern limit of ancient monuments on or 
near the lake shore. 


1 Represented on Plate XXXII. No. 3. 



CHAPTER II. 


ANCIENT WORKS IN THE BASIN OF THE PISHTAKA RIVER. 

This stream is usually called Fox River; but, to distinguish it from the numerous 
other rivers of the same name, it is necessary to call it the Fox River 1 of the 
Illinois. It originates in the northeastern part of Waukesha County, and runs in 
a southerly direction through the western part of Racine and Kenosha counties 
into Illinois. It thence passes by way of the Illinois River into the Mississippi. 
Within the State of Wisconsin its basin covers an area of nine hundred and forty- 
five square miles. 

The ancient works in the vallev of the Pishtaka extend as far down as to the 

•/ 

place where Major Long and his party crossed it, a little north of west from Chicago. 
“ At this point,” says the narrator, “the river has a fine gravelly bottom, and was 
very easily forded. On the west side we reached a beautiful but small prairie, 
situated on a high bank, which approaches within two hundred and fifty yards of 
the edge of the water; and upon this prairie we discovered a number of mounds, 
which appear to have been arranged with a certain degree of regularity. Of these 
mounds we counted twenty-seven. They vary from one to four feet and a half in 
height, and from fifteen to twenty-five in length; their breadth is not proportioned 
to their length, as it seldom exceeds six or eight feet. They are placed at unequal 
distances, which average about twenty yards, and are chiefly upon the brow of the 
hill; but some of them stand at a greater distance back. Their form appears to 
have been originally oval; and the slight depression in the ground observed some¬ 
times on both sides of the mound, seems to indicate that it has been raised by 
means of the earth collected in its immediate vicinity. Of their artificial nature 
no doubt could be entertained.” 2 3 

About a dozen localities are known along this stream and its branches, within the 
limits of Wisconsin, at which mounds have been erected by the ancient occupants 
of the country. Near the southern boundary of the State are a few works, as on 
the northwest side of Silver Lake, in the town of Salem (section eight, township 
one, range twenty), where there are some burial mounds; and a little north of the 
road (southwest quarter of southeast quarter of section five, township one, range 
twenty) are two oblong mounds, which, from their position, are supposed to be 


1 It is said that the Indians called all rivers with numerous short bends by this name, from the 

resemblance of their course to that of a fox when pursued. 

3 Narrative of an Expedition to the Source of the St. Peter’s River, &c., I. 176. Philadelphia, 1824. 



24 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


“look-out” stations. They are situated near some quite remarkable bluffs of lime¬ 
stone gravel, and command an extensive view of the valley towards the south, 
with its beautiful lake and ancient remains. 

Mound Prairie, in the western part of Wheatland (township one, range nineteen), 
is a small and beautiful prairie lying between two line groups of lakes; and is so 
named from some artificial works near the centre of the prairie. We found six 
or eight circular mounds, and one that appeared to have been a “ turtle.” They 
were nearly destroyed by the plough. 

Near the village of Geneva (section thirty-five, township one, range seventeen), 
there were two turtle mounds, and several of the ordinary circular or conical form. 
They are situated near the lake with their heads towards the water. A road passes 
directly over them, and they are now (1850) nearly destroyed. Further search 
would probably reveal the localities of other works about these lakes. 

Five miles south of Burlington (on the northwest quarter of section twenty-six, 
township two, range nineteen), is a solitary animal mound, with curved tail, and 
enlarged at the extremity, as shown in the figure. (Plate XIII. No. 1.) It is situated 
on a gently sloping hill side, and the road passes directly over it. It is a very 
unusual circumstance to find such a mound disconnected from other works; but we 
could not learn that any others existed in the vicinity. 

On the east bank of the river, opposite the village of Burlington, is a series of 
mounds arranged in an irregular row along the margin of the stream. (See Plate 
XIII. No. 2.) The largest of the series, near the middle, is ten feet high, and fifty 
feet in diameter at the base. It is connected with the next by an embankment, a 
circumstance observed in several other cases. At the north or upper end of the 
series, are four oblong mounds ; one with a divided extremity, or horns, as shown 
in the drawing. Eleven conical tumuli may yet be traced; and some others, it is 
said, have been removed. Persons of lively imagination might suppose, this series 
to represent a serpent, with mouth open, in the act of swallowing its prey; the 
series forming a sort of serpentine row. 

A little west of the village is a small inclosure of oval form, the embankment 
having but a slight elevation. It may have been the place of a mud-house, or some 
structure the decay of which has left only this evidence of its former existence. 
There are said to be others similar to it in the vicinity. A stone axe and a flint 
arrow-point were obtained here. 

On the west side of Wind Lake (northeast quarter of section eight, township 
four, range twenty), we discovered five conical mounds, but no other works in their 
vicinity. Also on the west side of Muskego Lake (east half of northeast quarter 
of section sixteen, township five, range twenty), is a group of works represented 
in Plate XIV. No. 1. They consist of two parallel ridges at the extremity of a 
small promontory nearly surrounded by marshy grounds, and a ridge and some 
circular mounds on another point of land opposite. There is a remarkable excava¬ 
tion in the bank here, which is doubtless the work of art; but its origin and the 
purpose for which it was made can now only be a subject of conjecture. 

These parallel ridges have been represented as the remains of a fort or fortified 
promontory; but a glance at the plate will show that no such object could have 


A N C I E N T WORKS N E A R THE PISHTAKA RIVER. 


25 

been the motive of their construction. Instead of extending across the neck of the 
peninsula, as in the “ fortified hills,” and thus defending the approach to the posi¬ 
tion, they occupy a place near the extremity of the high land. 

Proceeding up the valley of the river from Burlington, there are no remains for 
a distance of twelve miles. We then find those represented on Plate XV. By 
invitation, we took up our quarters at the house of Mr. Isaac Bailey, where it was 
once proposed to build a village or city, to be called “ Crawfordsville.” The city 
was never built, and the name is only remembered by a few of the oldest inhabit¬ 
ants. This is the place mentioned by Mr. R. C. Taylor 1 as stated in the western 
papers to contain a group of mounds resembling lizards, alligators, and flying 
dragons. 

On Plate XVI., I have endeavored to represent these monsters as they appear 
upon careful survey and plotting. They occupy ground sloping gently towards the 
river at the north and northwest, their heads pointing up hill, and their general 
course southwesterly. The winged mounds or dragons (three in number) appear 
to lead the flight or march of the other animals, and to be heralded by a host of 
simple oblong figures, extending nearly half a mile in the same direction. An 
enlarged view of one of the winged mounds is shown on Plate XVII. No. 1; 
and the group of oblong mounds, forming the “ advance guard,” is shown on Plate 
XIV. No. 2. 

The main figure in the general group is shown on an enlarged scale (Plate XVII. 
No. 2), and is two hundred and eighty-six feet in length. This and the one 
immediately preceding it are good representatives of the kind called lizards; while 
the two exterior figures, having four projections or feet, are always called turtles 
by the most casual observer. One at the right appears to have been intended for 
a lizard, but is without the tail. These are from two to six feet in height. 

A little north of the mounds represented on Plate XVI. is a very large one, ten 
feet in perpendicular height, and eighty feet in diameter at the base. Its situation 
is such as to command a view of the valley for two or three miles both above and 
below. It had been opened prior to our visit, but without important results. It 
has an appendage consisting of a slight ridge of earth, sixty feet long, extending 
from its base in a northeasterly direction. Immediately north of it is an excava¬ 
tion from one to two feet in depth. The earth taken from this excavation, how¬ 
ever, would make but a small part of the large mound. South of these the ground 
continues to rise to a high ridge, occupied by the roads, as shown on the map, 
Plate XV. 

As seen by the plate, many of these mounds are in a grove of timber, and 
have not been disturbed by cultivation. It is very much to be hoped that the 
good taste of the present intelligent proprietor will induce him to preserve them 
from destruction. This locality was doubtless one of much importance to the 
original inhabitants. It is protected on three sides by the marshy grounds along 
the margin of the river; and on the heights in the rear are several mounds, indicat- 


4 


1 Silliman’s Amcr. Journal of Science and Art, 1st series, XXXIV. 95. 



26 ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 

ing that outposts may have been guarded, so as to give warning of the first approach 
of an enemy. 

It has been observed that among the figures represented on Plate I. is a lizard 
without a tail; and we found, on the high ground immediately south of the little 
village of Big Bend, two, which may be considered as turtles, with a similar defi¬ 
ciency. (Plate XVII. No. 3.) They closely resemble the forms described by Mr. 
S. Taylor. 1 

One of these (on the east side of the river) is apparently a group of two large 
and four small mounds united into one (Plate XVII. No. 4); or we may suppose 
the two largest united by a ridge, and the four smaller ones placed adjoining them. 
In each of these figures one end is larger than the other; thus indicating which 
was the head of the turtle. One is sixty-five feet long, and sixty-seven feet broad, 
measured from the extremities of the anterior projections; the other is one hundred 
and four feet long, and eighty-two feet broad. One, it will be observed, lies nearly 
north and south, and the other nearly east and west. The most southerly is 
the largest. May they not have been the depositories of the remains of some dis¬ 
tinguished family, consisting of the man, his wife, and four children? We may 
suppose that each had a mound erected suitable in its dimensions and relative 
position to the dignity of the person. Thus, the father would occupy the largest, 
and the children the smallest of the group. 

The four mounds on the border of the prairie at the south part of Plate XV. 
may originally have been of imitative forms, but they are now much obliterated. 
From these the observer commands a distant view towards the south and south¬ 
west. In digging the well near by,-sticks, and logs of cedar, or tamarack wood, 
were found at the depth of nineteen feet below the surface. 

Waukesha is the next place which seems to have been occupied by the ancient 
inhabitants. It was formerly known as Prairie Village or Prairieville; and being 
on the main road west from Milwaukee, its mounds were early brought into notice. 
Their general distribution and relative situation, as well as the topographical features 
of the locality, will be found represented on Plate XVIII. It will be noticed that 
they occupy three different levels: those in the lower part of the village, mostly 
conical, are on the lowest ground; while those in the upper part are on what 
may be called the second bank; and the others are on the highlands east and 
south of the village. 

Plate XIX. represents a group of works surveyed in 1S36, with the assistance of 
Mr. Wm. T. Culley. At that time the log-house near these mounds was the 
only evidence of civilization in the place; and the works were uninjured by the 
white man, except that the large mound was made use of for a root-house, or 
potato-hole. The turtle-mound was then a conspicuous object; and such was its 
resemblance to that animal, that it was pronounced a good representation by all 
who saw it. The mere outline of the ground plan,'as represented in the plate, 
fails to convey an adequate idea of this resemblance. But it is better to give the 


1 Sill. Journ., XLIY. 28, Plate v. Fig. 6; quoted by Squier and Davis, Smiths. Contrib., I. 130, 
Plate xliii. Fig. 5. 



ANCIENT WORKS NEAR THE PISHTAKA RIVER. 


27 


outline correctly, than to attempt a delineation of what may be supposed to have 
been intended by the builders. 

On this mound was, at that time, a recent grave, protected by pickets driven on 
opposite sides, so as to cross at the top, as represented on the plate. The Indians 
had but recently left the place, and the trail leading from the river to their w r ig- 
wains ran directly over two of the mounds. This turtle was then a very fine 
specimen of the ancient art of mound-building, with its graceful curves, the feet 
projecting back and forward, and the tail, with its gradual slope, so acutely pointed 
that it was impossible to ascertain precisely where it terminated. The body was 
fifty-six feet in length, and the tail two hundred and fifty; the height six feet. 

The ground occupied by this group of works is now covered with buildings. A 
dwelling-house stands upon the body of the turtle, and a Catholic church is built 
upon the tail. 

Another turtle, represented on the same plate, was found on the college grounds, 
and differs from the other in being concave on the back, as shown by the section. 
It is also less symmetrical. 

Plate XX. represents a group of structures occupj'ing the very high hill a little 
east of the town. It consists of two round, four oblong, one turtle, and one bird¬ 
shaped mound. Of the last an enlarged view is presented on Plate XXII. No. 1, 
with its dimensions. Its position is peculiar, on a steep hill-side, with its head 
downwards. The general outline of the figure, and the shape of the head and 
beak, leave no doubt that a bird was intended to be represented; but whether 
an eagle, a hawk, or any particular bird, must be left entirely to conjecture. It 
will be observed that this bird is but a modification of other forms represented on 
the same plate (Plate XXII. Nos. 2 and 3); a slight curvature of the wings, and 
the addition of a beak, being the only difference: and this gradual passage of one 
kind of mound into another is often noticeable, as we shall have occasion to show 
elsewhere. 

The very fine group, half a mile south of the town (Plate XXI.), fortunately is 
upon the grounds of Carroll College; and we may, therefore, hope it will be for 
ever preserved as a record of the past. These mounds form a quasi inclosure, and 
hence, like many other groups of works, have been, by casual observers, called a 
fort. If we were not well acquainted with works of defence in Ohio and elsewhere, 
which show that the mound-builders were considerably advanced in military arts, 
we might suppose this was intended for a rude fortification ; but we can only regard 
it as an accidental arrangement, and not designed for any such purpose. 

Much of the ground about Waukesha was, in 1836, covered with “ Indian corn- 
hills,” or remains of their recent culture of maize. In this locality, as at numerous 
others, the mounds occupy the highest ground and the points of hills and other 
places, whence the most extensive view, both above and below, can be obtained. 
The town of Waukesha stands on a slightly undulating plain, surrounded by hills, 
forming a fine amphitheatre, which, in ancient times, was doubtless crowded, as it 
is now, with a numerous population. 

The mound marked a on the map (Plate XVIII.) was selected for examination; 
much of the earth having been removed by the town authorities, so as materially 


28 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


to lessen the labor. At about two feet above the original surface of the ground, 
the top of a circular wall or pile of stone, about nine feet in diameter, was dis¬ 
covered. It was composed of loose fragments of white limestone, which exhibited 
evidence of long contact with the earth, by their decayed and softened exterior. 
The wall was interrupted on the west side. (See Section, Plate XVIII.) 

TVe commenced the exploration by opening a trench three feet wide, beginning 
on the east side of the original mound, deep enough to reach through the black 
and mottled earth of which the-mound was composed, and to the surface of the yel¬ 
lowish clay subsoil. Continuing this trench towards the centre, w T e passed the loose 
stone wall, and found the black earth suddenly extending down about two feet 
below the natural surface of the ground, and reaching the gravel below the yellow 
clay. Upon this gravel, two feet below the original surface, directly under the 
centre of the mound, and surrounded by the circular heap of stone, was found a 
human skeleton, lying on its back, with the head towards the west. Stones had 
also been placed at the sides and over the body, forming a rude sort of coffin. The 
bones were very much decayed, and only fragments could be obtained. The plates 
of the skull were too far gone to be restored. 

In the left hand was a pipe of baked clay or pottery, ornamented with holes 
around the bow r l, and also a quantity of red paint. In the right hand was a 
smaller pipe, cut from a soft kind of stone. They are both very small, and appear 
to have been articles of fancy, rather than use. At the head were found many 
fragments of pottery which had been crushed by the weight of the earth; these 
fragments were originally portions of two vessels, which had the form represented 
in Fig. 8. They are of the same coarse and rude materials as the fragments 
so frequently found on and near the surface in many localities 
throughout the State. The earth immediately over the skeleton 
was hard and black, indicating the action of fire, though no other 
evidence of this was discovered. Fragments of fresh-water shells 
(of the genus TTnio') were found with the fragments of pottery. 
No wood was found, nor were any vacant places noticed where it 
might have decayed. 

Another mound was opened a short distance west of the first, by 
sinking a shaft in the centre five feet in diameter. We soon reached burnt clay, 
of a yellow or reddish-yellow color, with stones almost calcined into quicklime by 
the intensity of the heat. Much charcoal was obtained, showing still the original 
pores and concentric circles of the wood, which appeared to be oak. The bones of 
a portion of the leg of a human being were found; but the remainder of the skele¬ 
ton had evidently been consumed at the time of the interment. There had been 
no excavation below the natural surface of the ground in this case. 

The materials composing these mounds were taken from the surface, so that no 
perceptible excavations are left in their vicinity; and the whole body of the 
tumulus consists of black mould, with occasional spots of yellowish clay. The 
difference between the artificial and natural soil was quite apparent. No articles 


Fig. 8. 



1 Apparently the Unto st/iquoic(es of Barnes. 



ANCIENT WORKS NEAR THE PISHTAKA RIVER. 


29 


of ornament or use, indicating any commerce with the white race, were discovered ; 
and we are led to the conclusion that the mound was erected before the discovery 
of the country. The position of the skeleton, and other indications, show conclu¬ 
sively that no disturbance had taken place since the interment, and that the articles 
obtained w r ere the original deposits. The skeleton was, without doubt, that of the 
personage for whom the mound was erected. 

In one of the vases at the head of the skeleton were the remains of a shell, appa¬ 
rently the TJnio siliquoides , a very common species in the rivers and lakes of Wis¬ 
consin. These shells are often used for spoons; and this vase probably contained 
a supply of food for the departed while on the journey to the spirit-land. 

It is impossible to estimate, with any degree of precision, the length of time that 
human bones may have remained when placed two feet in the earth, and covered 
with a mound still retaining an elevation of four feet; but it is certain that all traces 
of them would be gone in a few centuries, unless they were longer preserved by 
peculiar circumstances. The skeletons found here were, as before stated, very 
much decayed; but it is believed that their antiquity could not be very great. 
Roots of trees had penetrated to the bones, and drawn nourishment from their 
mouldering remains, thus hastening their decay; and their depth (four and six feet) 
below the top of the mound, was not so great as to exclude entirely the effects of 
moisture, especially in wet seasons. It is true, the hard layer of earth and the 
covering of stone had a preservative influence; but, upon the whole, it is not pro¬ 
bable that these mounds have an antiquity of many hundred years. 

It is clear, then, that this was one of the latest works of the mound-builders; 
one that connects them with the present race of Indians; and yet its origin is, 
without doubt, anterior to the discovery of America. The pipes, the red paint, 
and the pottery, are so many circumstances connecting this mound with the recent 
race; -while the tumulus itself is a relic of the more ancient one of the mound- 
builders. The progress of discovery seems constantly to diminish the distinction 
between the ancient and modern races; and it may not be very wide of the truth 
to assert that they were the same people. 

It is not strange that changes should, from time to time, take place in the cha¬ 
racter and habits of a people so rude and so little advanced in civilization. Different 
tribes have different habits; and a stronger one may have overrun and swallowed 
up a weaker, and thus changed its customs and destroyed its institutions. In this 
way the mode of burial, and even the religious ceremonies, may be altered; those of 
the conquerors being substituted for those of the conquered. History records 
many such events. The inhabitants of Egypt have ceased to build pyramids and 
sphinxes; the Greeks have ceased to erect temples: and yet, we have reason to 
believe that their descendants occupy the same countries. Is it more strange that 
the ancestors of the present Indians should have erected mounds of earth, than 
that the aboriginals of any country should have had habits different from their pos¬ 
terity? We need not, therefore, look to Mexico, or any other country, for the 
descendants of the mound-builders. We probably see them in the present red race 
of the same or adjacent regions. 

Since the red men have become known to us, numerous tribes have been ex- 


30 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN 


tinguished, with all their peculiar customs and institutions; yet, as a whole, the 
Indian remains. Many tribes have been overrun by others, and have united 
with them as one people. Migrations have taken place; one tribe acquiring suf¬ 
ficient power has taken possession of lands belonging to another, and maintained 
its possession. In the course of these revolutions it is not strange that habits and 
practices, once prevalent in certain places, with certain tribes, should become 
extinct and forgotten. 

Another fact is important in this connection. The mound-builders occupied the 
same localities that are now the favorite resort of the present Indians, who still 
often make use of the mounds for the burial of their dead. They have a kind of 
veneration for them, which may be the result of a lingering tradition of their sacred 
origin. The implements and utensils of the mound-builders were the same in many 
cases as those used by the recent inhabitants before their intercourse with the 
whites; and, as it has been quite clearly shown that the latter have in former 
times erected mounds of earth over their dead, we may consider such facts as 
tending to prove the unity of these people. 

A mile and a half above "Waukesha, on a very high and commanding position, 
are three round mounds in front of four “lizard-mounds.” (Fig. 9.) They are 


Fig. 9. 



To Waukesha 




V= 


life 


o 

O 

o 


X/, 

fe 

fe- 








at the crossing of the old “ Madison road,” in the southwest quarter of section 
twenty-six. A sentinel stationed on them could give warning to the inhabitants 
of the approach of any hostile force, long before they could reach the village. The 
“lizards,” as in most other cases, have their heads towards the south. 

On the northwest quarter of the same section are also some small mounds, and 
one of the lizard shape. They are at the foot of the hill that borders the outlet 
of Pewaukee Lake. Still further, on the road (S. E. qr. of Sec. 22, T. 7, R. 19), 
were found the remains of another lizard mound, now nearly destroyed. 

But the most remarkable collection of lizards and turtles yet discovered is on 
the school section, about a mile and a half southeast from the village of Pewaukee. 
(See Plate XXIII.) This consists of seven turtles, two lizards, four oblong mounds, 
and one of those remarkable excavations before alluded to. One of the turtle 
mounds, partially obliterated by the road, has a length of four hundred and fifty 











ANCIENT WORKS NEAR THE PISHTAKA RIVER. 


31 


feet; being nearly double the usual dimensions. Three of them are remarkable for 
their curved tails, a feature here first observed. (Plate XXIV. Nos. 2, 3, and 4.) 
One of the smallest has the tail turned back by the side of the body. (Plate XXIV. 
No. 4.) These curved figures have another peculiarity in the obtuseness of the 
extremity; the end being round and flat, instead of a sharp point, as in most other 
similar mounds. While these have a width of about four feet at the end, others 
so gradually diminish in height and breadth that it is almost impossible, as before 
observed, to determine the precise point of termination. One has a rectangular 
bend at the extremity of the tail, and in each there is a change of direction in pass¬ 
ing from the body to the tail. 

The excavation, Plate IX. Fig. 6, is quite similar to those found on the Mil¬ 
waukee River, in form and dimensions; except that the extremity is deflected, and 
it does not appear to be associated with the principal mound by pointing towards 
it. The oblong structure adjoining the excavation is in the most conspicuous place, 
and may be styled the “observatory.” 

This interesting group occupies a secure position, being on a ridge flanked by 
marshy grounds on either side. At the remote period when these mounds were 
built, the marshes may have been lakes, since filled up or dried away to their pre¬ 
sent condition. 1 A diligent search did not reveal any evidence of breastworks, or 
other means of defence, across this ridge at either end of the mounds. About 
half a mile off, in a northwest direction, is a very high hill (probably two hundred 
feet above the level of the marshes), on which are one lizard and three circular 
mounds. From these there is a fine view, extending over much of the adjacent 
country. 

It will be noticed that there are no round or burial mounds among those repre¬ 
sented on Plate XXIII. The cemetery was in some other place, probably on the 
hill just mentioned. The grounds about the former are covered with scattered oak- 
trees, commonly called “ oak openings,” and thickly overgrown with small bushes, 
rendering it difficult to perform the work of surveying. Such was the density of 
this undergrowth, that we seldom could see a mound until we were directly 
upon it; and we are not sure that all were detected. At the time of our visit a 
fire was raging through the woods about us, consuming the dry leaves and brush, 
and filling the air with smoke; and our clothes and persons soon became blackened 
by the charred bushes, nor were we entirely free from danger arising from falling 
trees. The peculiar noise made by the fire as it entered the marsh, caused by the 
bursting of the hollow stems of coarse grass and weeds, was very great. 

Traces of a few other mounds were noticed at the eastern extremity of Pewaukee 
Lake, immediately north of the village. They were too much injured in the pro¬ 
cess of making roads, and by the dam, by Avhich the lake has been raised four feet 
above its original level, to admit of their precise nature being ascertained. 

No other ancient works could be found in the valley of the Pishtaka and its 
branches; nor could we hear of any more upon inquiry among those familiar with 
the localities in that part of the country. 


1 They are 260 feet above Lake Michigan, as ascertained by levelling. 



CHAPTER III. 


ANCIENT WORKS IN THE BASIN OF ROCK RIVER AND ITS 

BRANCHES. 

SECTION I. 

BELOW AZTALAN. 

The Rock River country is favorably known as among the most fertile and beau¬ 
tiful in the broad West. The early settlers were eager to reach this valley; and it 
has now become the centre of a numerous, thriving, and intelligent population. It 
occupies the central portions of the southern and most populous part of the State ; 
having an area of five thousand five hundred and fifty square miles. At Beloit, 
where the river passes into Illinois, it has an elevation of one hundred and thirty- 
eight feet; and the rim of the great basin is from three hundred to eight or nine 
hundred feet above the level of Lake Michigan. 

Ancient works exist in this valley below the State line; but of their nature and 
extent I have been able to obtain no very particular information. It is believed 
that they are of less importance than those to the north; and, with the exception of 
some of the turtle form as far south as Rockford, they do not assume those peculiar 
imitative figures so characteristic of the mounds of Wisconsin. North of the State 
line, the mounds are profusely scattered over this broad valley (as will be seen by 
reference to the map), reaching to the very sources of some of the branches. 

The following statement is from the “ Narrative of an Expedition to the Source 
of St. Peter’s River,” &c., under the command of Captain Long, in 1823: 

“On both banks of the Kishwaukee, not far from its mouth, there are many 
mounds in every respect similar to those met with on Fox (Pishtaka) River, but 
scattered along the bank without any apparent order. Mr. Say counted upwards 
of thirty of these mounds. It is probable that they were the cemeteries of a large 
Indian population, which resided along the banks of the Kishwaukee, and which, 
perhaps, had its principal village at the beautiful confluence of this stream with 
Rock River.” 1 

Only one locality of any importance was found on the Pekatonica, a branch of 
Rock River that has its rise in the centre of the lead-mine region, where ancient 
works had been constructed. The necessities of these builders probably did not 
include lead, for in this region but few works are seen; and we find no indications 


1 Narrative, &c., I. 185. See also Chap. II. p. 23, of the present work. 



ANCIENT WORKS NEAR ROCK RIVER. 


33 


of ancient mining as at the copper mines of Lake Superior. The copper ore asso¬ 
ciated with the lead was beyond the reach of their metallurgic arts. The works 
alluded to are sketched on Plate XXV, and consist of several oblong, or circular, 
and one tapering mound; the last destitute of appendages, or other indications of 
its relation to the turtle and lizard forms, found further east. 

They are situated on the sloping ground, and extend from the top of the hill half 
way to the river. The soil is here sandy, being in the district of the sand-stone, 
which is seen cropping out along the road near by. There is nothing to distin¬ 
guish them from others more within the proper region, as it were, of the mound- 
builders. One of them had been opened prior to our visit, from which bones were 
said to have been obtained. Indian graves while exposed along the margin of the 
river, furnished a few glass beads and some trinkets. 

The valley of Sugar river, a considerable stream between the Pekatonica and 
Rock rivers, appears also to have been avoided by the mound-builders. We could 
hear of only a few unimportant mounds on sections fourteen and fifteen, township 
four, range seven; and on thirty-five and thirty-six, township four, range six. None 
could be heard of about Monroe and Exeter, where lead is dug in considerable 
quantities. For some unknown reason, they seem not to have occupied this 
mineral region. 

A few mounds of no great interest were seen about Delavan lake, also in and 
near Beloit, which were not minutely examined by me, but have since been sur¬ 
veyed by Prof. S. P. Lothrop, of Beloit College. (See Plates LIV, LV.) Pro¬ 
ceeding up the immediate valley of Rock river, the first works worthy of note are 
near the junction of the outlet of the four lakes at Fulton. 

Plate XXVI represents the works at a place known as Indian Hill, about a 
mile above the mouth of the outlet. Here is a series of oblong mounds on the 
steep slope of the hill, converging towards a point where there is a dug-way leading 
to the river. The hill has an elevation of seventy or eighty feet, and from its 
summit the valley of the river can be overlooked for several miles above and 
below. It may be that this was one of the most important posts of observation, 
and that the peculiar arrangement of the mounds was intended to guard the access 
to the water from the top of the hill. 

The hill is quite steep, and at present covered with trees and an under-growth 
of hazel-bushes. The graded way has been increased in depth by running water, 
but it bears evidence of having originally been constructed by art. 

At the intersection of Main and State streets, in the village of Fulton, is an irre¬ 
gular oval earth-work, consisting of a flat ridge, and resembling the road-way of a 
modern turnpike. (See Plate XXV, No. 2.) The breadth varies from thirty to 
forty feet, and the elevation from two to three feet in the middle. The diameters 
of the oval are five hundred and three hundred feet. Such a structure might have 
had its uses in some of the public games or ceremonies of uncivilized life; but it 
would be idle to attempt to ascertain its particular purpose. 

Besides the works already mentioned in this vicinity, there are numerous tumuli 
of the ordinary circular form, supposed to be sepulchral. They are occasionally 
5 


34 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


arranged in rows, more or less regular, along the margin of a brook or valley, as 
shown by Fig. 10. Usually two or three mounds near the middle of the row are 
larger than the others. 



Fio. in. 







Row of Mounds near Fulton. 



Three are found on the east side of the outlet, half a mile below Fulton, and a 
group a mile above the town. Two miles above, on section eleven, is a group of 
eight (see Fig 10), situated on the edge of a prairie, so as to be seen in profile, as 
represented in the figure. About a mile below the village, there is a group of 
fourteen, and another on the side of Hock river. All these are circular mounds, 
unaccompanied by others of imitative forms, &c. Some have been opened, and 
are said in most cases to have contained remains of human skeletons, frequently 
of several persons in the same tumulus. 

We visited the mounds noted by the surveyors of the public land near the north¬ 
east corner of the town of Dunkirk, in Dane 1 county. When seen from a distance, 
they might readily be mistaken for a group of large, ancient, artificial mounds: but 
closer observation shows that they are only abrupt natural swells or elevations, 
here very numerous, which have been aptly compared to the waves of the sea. 


Fig. 11 . 



The sketch (Fig. 11) was taken with the aid of a card, in the centre of which 
was a square opening crossed by threads, so as to form little squares, as recom¬ 
mended by Mr. Parrot. 2 

A few miles above Fulton, the river expands into a broad and shallow lake, 
known by its Indian name of Koshkonong, said to mean “the lake we live on.” 
It is eight miles long, with an average breadth of two miles and five eighths; the 
periphery, measuring all the sinuosities of the shore, is twenty-eight miles and 
three quarters; the area, twenty-one square miles. According to the report of Capt. 
T. J. Cram, there is a rapid current, extending about six hundred feet into the 
lake, with a depth of water of only from two to three feet. In the other portion of 
the lake, on the usual channel or track for boats and rafts, the water is from four 


1 Not Dade county, as spelt in Yol. I. of Smithsonian Contributions. 

2 Journey to Ararat, &c. 








ANCIENT WORKS NEAR ROCK RIVER. 


35 


to twelve feet deep. At the time of our visit (July, 1850), wild rice 1 was growing 
abundantly over almost its whole surface, giving to it more the appearance of a 
meadow than a lake. Fish and mollusks also abound in its waters, finding plenty 
of food in the warm mud beneath, and among the roots and stems of the grass and 
rushes. 2 

This locality being thus abundantly supplied with the means of subsistence 
relied upon in a great degree by the American Indians—rice and fish—we 
were not surprised to find numerous traces of Indians on the banks of the lake, 
which are known to have been occupied until a very recent period. There 
are two prominent points projecting into the water from the south shore, which 
were favorite spots with the natives. At the easterly point, called Bingham’s 
Point, bones of fishes, with shells (various species of Unio), are very abundant, 
enriching the soil by their gradual decay. 

On these points were also found remains of pipes, copper kettles, rusty gun-locks, 
and knives of old fashioned forms, nearly destroyed by rust and decay. From 
the other, or Thebean Point, 3 we obtained arrow-points, and a triangular ornament 
of stone, which had probably been brought from Ohio. 

On Thebean Point are traces of mounds; and a little further up the lake com¬ 
mences a series of works extending about two miles along the high lands which 
border upon that portion of it. Some of these works are represented on Plate 
XXVII. 

As in other cases, it will be noticed that the turtles have their heads turned 
towards the lake, and in a southerly direction. They differ from those heretofore 
described, in the more eastern portions of Wisconsin, in the diminished length 
of the tail. It will be observed that there are several mounds of forms varying 
from those before mentioned in this work. The one at a, of which an enlarged 
plan is given on the plate, with its dimensions, may be deemed a modification of 
the lizard-mounds of eastern Wisconsin. Near it is one with a slight appendix, 
which has been compared to a tadpole. Next, to this is a tapering mound, with a 
slight curve at the smaller extremity. The three, connected by a ridge that extends 
beyond them in both directions, are quite peculiar. Unfortunately, the lateness 
of the evening prevented our making a triangulation of the three-pronged mound 
at the top of the plate; a circumstance which we regretted less from having pre¬ 
viously surveyed several of the same kind, hereafter to be described. 

As happens in many other cases, these mounds are placed on high and command¬ 
ing situations; evincing a taste for beauty of scenery, or a watchfulness, perhaps, 
rendered necessary by the proximity of enemies. The ground is very uneven, 
presenting many prominent swells, occupied by the most important mounds, and 
numerous depressions in the surface, usually of an oval form, caused, perhaps, by 
the carrying away of soft materials from below by running water; thus leaving 
the surface unsupported, and ready to sink into pits or depressions. They are now 


1 Zizania aquatica, Linn. 3 Scirpus lacustris. 

3 Thebean Point is separated from the main land by a broad marsh, which is not the case with Bing¬ 
ham’s Point. 



36 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


covered with trees, shrubs, and herbage, as are also the other grounds in the 
vicinity. 

Fort Atkinson is the name of a flourishing village on Rock river, a little below 
the mouth of Bark river. In this vicinity are several groups of mounds, usually 
in irregular rows, three or four at a place. Some very large burial tumuli, half a 
mile below the town, on the right bank of the river, have been opened by citizens 
of the place. One, the largest, is ten feet high and sixty feet in diameter, composed 
in part of gravel, taken doubtless from the bed of the river, but mixed with the 
black earth of the surface. 

Graves of Indians were passed in penetrating this; and at the bottom was a 
cavity lined with clay, hardened apparently by water, with an impression, as was 
supposed, of the rough exterior surface of oak bark, as if a log of this wood had been 
buried, now entirely decayed and gone; or, perhaps, it was a skeleton enveloped 
in bark for interment. It will be remarked that, in opening mounds and pene¬ 
trating to the original deposits, but few implements or ornaments of any kind are 
found. In this respect, the Wisconsin mound-builders differed from their succes¬ 
sors, who are in the habit of burying articles of supposed value and utility with 
their dead; and from this fact it may perhaps be inferred that they had less mate¬ 
rial notions of the spirit world, or at least of the necessities of those who were on 
the journey to that happy land. 

Half a mile below the group of circular mounds last referred to, is the remark¬ 
able succession of works represented on Plate XXVIII, No. 1. The excavation 
has been before alluded to. (See pages 15 and 18.) In its general character it is 
precisely like those near Milwaukee, and the one on the school section at Pewaukee. 
(See page 31.) In shape it very much resembles some of the figures that have 
been denominated lizards. (See Plate IX, Fig. 7.) 

Are we, then, to consider this as of the same origin, formed in the inverse order, 
and for similar purposes as the mounds ? As at Milwaukee, a large mound stands 
near the smaller extremity. 

These works are situated on the immediate bank of the river, which here has an 
elevation of ten or fifteen feet. The irregular cross at the west end of the group is 
quite peculiar, as are also the elongated and tapering mounds at the opposite ex¬ 
tremity, which, in shape, may be compared to the tear drop! One cross near the 
fence is exactly like those of Waukesha and Crawfordsville. (Plates XVII and 
XXII.) The road runs directly over several of these mounds, and they will soon 
be destroyed and forgotten. Then, the present record only can be referred to as 
evidence of their former existence, and of their nature and extent. 

A mile west of Jefferson, the county town of the county of the same name, situ¬ 
ated at the junction of the two principal branches of Rock river, are the works 
represented on Plate XXVIII, No. 2. There we find the first lizard-mounds 
observed on Rock river. They have the same form and relative proportions as 
those before described, but differ in direction, their heads being a little north of 
west; all those before observed having had a direction towards points of the com¬ 
pass lying south of east or west. Another circumstance which probably governed 
their direction is, that they have their heads towards the water or low grounds, 


ANCIENT WORKS NEAR ROCK II IYER. 37 

either directly or obliquely. In this respect these mounds do not differ from 
others. 

The bird, or cross, is fifty-two feet in length of body, and one hundred and 
seventeen feet in alar extent, and resembles those before described. The elon¬ 
gated mound crossing the road to Jefferson, is remarkable for its great length; 
but it does not extend through the country for many miles, as is represented by 
some casual but positive observers. The exact length, as ascertained by the tape- 
line, is, as marked on the plate, four hundred and twenty-five feet. This mound 
i^ called u the snake, which it resembles in form, though being exactly straight, it 
does not at once convey the idea of a serpent. If other mounds are termed lizards, 
frogs, or turtles, surely the mounds of this form are entitled to an equally distinct 
name. 

But what most distinguish these mounds from others, are the two raised or graded 
ways leading to prominent points on the steep bank of the river. They have, like 
the ring at Fulton (see page 33, Plate XXV), about the form and dimensions 
of the road-bed of a modern turnpike. It would be impossible, in the present 
state of our knowledge of the habits and customs of the authors of these w^orks, 
to form a reasonable conjecture respecting the purposes of these graded ways. At 
their upper extremity they are guarded on each side by mounds. 

The works under consideration are situated on one of the very remarkable series 
of diluvial ridges, so common in the upper portions of the Bock river valley, and 
to which it will be necessary frequently to refer in the following pages. The river 
has cut away the base of the ridge at this point, so as to present an almost perpen¬ 
dicular cliff of clay and gravel. A little east of the works the ground descends 
towards the east; but the mounds are either on the summit or on the western slope. 
The ridge runs a little east of north, and west of south; preserving, in this respect, 
a general parallelism to the whole system of ridges. There were numerous other 
ancient works in and about Jefferson, now mostly destroyed. The ridge on which 
the village is built, as well as the next one towards the east, were formerly 
covered by a series of them, traces of which are still to be seen in the court-house 
square. The high bank of the river on the west side above the town, had its group 
of mounds, serpents, and other effigies. The story of there having formerly been 
a mound here of the human shape is probably not correct; at least we could not 
find it, nor learn anything of its whereabouts. Among these mounds there were 
probably none presenting new forms. 

On the banks of a small lake, called Bipley lake, ten miles west from Jefferson, 
is a group of works represented on Plate XXIX. It will be seen to exhibit some 
peculiar features, though the mound representing an elephant, said to exist here, 
could not be found. The two figures near the middle of the group may be con¬ 
sidered as in an attitude of defiance or of combat. The elongated embankment 
to the east is cleft in such a manner as to suggest very readily the idea of a ser¬ 
pent with its mouth slightly opened. These works are on the north bank of the 
lake; and similar ones extend at intervals along the shore, occupying the higher 
points, for a distance of half a mile. 

The lake is a mile and a half in length; and covers an extent of four hundred 


38 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


and ninety-three acres, with a coast line of four miles and three eighths. It is a 
fine sheet of pure water, with banks sufficiently elevated to present a pictu¬ 
resque and beautiful scene; and, at the time of our visit (July 4, 1850), the 
neighboring inhabitants were enjoying a sail upon its smooth surface. It has a 
prominent cape jutting in from the south, giving variety to the appearance of the 
shore; and glimpses of farm-houses, seen through the trees on the bank, show that 
this lovely spot is a favorite place with the modern civilized, as it was with the 
ancient barbarous people. Nature touches chords in the human heart that vibrate 
alike in the breasts of all, however different their conditions of life. 

Bark river is a considerable tributary of Rock river, entering it at Fort Atkin¬ 
son. Towards its source are some remains deserving notice. The most extensive 
group is on the fine level prairie at Summit, represented on Plate XXX. This 
plain has an elevation of about three hundred feet above Lake Michigan, is very 
fertile, the soil being two feet deep, and based upon an extensive bed of white lime¬ 
stone, gravel, and sand. It is bordered on all sides by small but very beautiful and 
picturesque lakes. Some prominent points of the series of hills passing through 
the State can be seen towards the southeast from this plain. 

The mounds are circular and oblong, with occasionally one of imitative form; but 
nearly all have been ploughed over, so that it is now quite impossible to trace their 
exact outlines. One appears to have had the bird form. There are one or two 
resembling lizards, and several of them turtles. Two of the latter were here found 
with the head in a northerly direction, being on the south side of the lakes; show¬ 
ing that the object was to direct the head towards the water, rather than towards 
the south. (See Plate XXIX.) Several are simple ridges, gradually diminishing 
from one end to the other, and may be intended to represent the serpent; they do 
not differ from the tails of the turtles and lizards. One of unusual length was 
noticed near the line between sections fourteen and fifteen. 

On the southwest quarter of section fourteen, is a natural elevation, formed, pro¬ 
bably, by a ledge of limestone beneath, on which is a group of four mounds—two 
oblongs, one lizard, and one turtle; the feet of the latter appeared to have been 
curved forward. They were much effaced by cultivation. 

Several mounds had been opened, but I could not learn that any discoveries of 
interest had been made; nor have any articles of importance been thrown up by 
the plough. In such cases we may suppose that the place was not abandoned, or 
the people drawn off in haste; but that they had time to gather up and remove all 
light articles. 

A short distance above Hartland, on the east side of Bark river, immediately 
north of the burying-ground, is a series of oblong mounds, one of which is enlarged 
at the extremities and in the middle, as shown in the figure. (Plate XXXI, No. 1.) 
This appears to be a form intermediate between the plain oblong and the more 
elaborate animal-shaped mounds. The turtle at the northern extremity of this 
group is nearly destroyed by the road. These works are on the southeast quarter 
of section twenty-six, township eight, range eighteen. 

Two miles and a half further up the river, at the village of Merton (northeast 
quarter of section twenty-four, township, eight, range eighteen), are a number of 


ANCIENT WORKS NEAR ROCK RIVER. 


39 


circular and oblong elevations, and one called “ the cross.” (See Plate XXXI, 
Nos. 2 and 3.) This last is certainly entitled to the name, from its striking resem¬ 
blance to the cross as emblematically used and represented by the Koman Church 
in every part of the world; and yet there can be no doubt that this mound was 
erected long before the first Jesuits visited this country, and spread the doctrines, 
and presented the emblem of the Christian faith. 

The ground here is high, and there are ridges running along the plain, as shown 
on the map. An excavation had been made in the cross at the intersection of the 
arms, and bones found of a large size, probably of some Indian who had been buried 
there. 

Mr. Miller, who resides near here, gave us a stone instrument, called by him a 
u skinnerfor, said he, “ I have seen the Indians use a similar instrument in skin¬ 
ning a deer in the State of New York.” It is a beautiful green stone, well polished 
towards the sharp end, showing, perhaps, that it had been much used. 

The place just above the village, called Fort Hill, has on it two oblong embank¬ 
ments, but bears no resemblance to a work of defence. 


Fig. 12. 



North of Merton we left the main road to ascend a very high, conical, isolated 
peak (on section fifteen, township eight, range eighteen), in the west part of Wash¬ 
ington county. It is composed of drift materials, no solid rock being observed. 
Towards the summit gravel only is found, the pebbles being mostly limestone. In 
its general appearance this peak resembles the Blue Mounds in the mineral 
region further west, though on a smaller scale. (See Fig. 12.) We found three 
artificial mounds occupying the whole of the narrow summit of this remarkable 
peak, as shown in the figure. (Fig. 13.) The middle and largest of these was 


Fig. 13. 



Enlarged view of the Summit (as seen from the west). 

opened, and proved to be composed of black vegetable mould, covering a base of 
stone; but nothing could be found to show for what purposes they were erected. 
Whatever these purposes may have been, they were clearly of much importance to 
those who built the mounds; for the labor of transporting the stone and soil from 
the plain below up so steep an ascent, must have been very considerable, and not 
likely to be undertaken for any trivial object. The central mound was six feet in 
height; the others, four. 



40 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


A mean of seven good observations with the barometer, gave for the elevation of 
this peak above Lake Michigan .... 824 feet. 

Add height of that lake . . . . 578 “ 

Total height above the ocean . . . 1402 “ 

The height above the surrounding grounds is about 275 feet. 1 

In the vicinity of the Four Lakes, where Madison, the capital of the State, is 
situated, the mound-builders have left unusually numerous traces of their former 
occupancy and industry. The lakes are united by a stream called the Catfish, 
through which the waters are conveyed to Rock river at Fulton. The mounds 
situated six and twelve miles west of the Four Lakes w r ere among the first of the 
animal-shaped mounds of which an account w T as published; 2 and as I have no 
additional facts to communicate in regard to them, a reference to the places where 
they are noticed and very fully described, is all that is now required. 

. A figure on the third lake, within the limits of the town, was fortunately rescued 
from oblivion by Mr. F. Hudson, whose very accurate drawing I was permitted to 
copy from the papers belonging to the Wisconsin State Historical Society. (See 
Plate XXXII, No. 1.) It will be seen that it differs from any mound heretofore 
described, in having a neck and a proportionately smaller body. Like most mounds 
of this general character, it has its head directed towards the water. It occupies 
high ground, having a gentle slope towards the lake, and is very near the steep 
broken cliff. 3 

Along the road to Munroe (on section twenty-two, township seven, range nine), 
north of the small lake called Lake Wingra, is one of the rows of mounds so often 
alluded to, and which is represented on Plate XXXII, No. 2. The difference in 
their relative size may indicate the different degrees of dignity of the persons in 
whose honor they w r ere erected. The row is irregular, being accommodated to the 
shape of the ground. It occupies one of the highest places about the lakes. Two 
quadrupeds, one bird, one mound with lateral projections, five oblong, aud twenty- 
seven circular tumuli, make up this group. 

Plate XXXIII represents what still remain of the works near the south angle 


1 In consideration of the interest manifested by Mr. Lapham in this prominent feature of this part of 
the State, by measuring its altitude, and opening its artificial mounds, it has been proposed to name it 
Lapham’s Peak .—Secretary S. I. 

2 It. C. Taylor, Sillimau’s Am. Journal, XXXIV, 92, Plate i, Fig. 1, Plate ii, Figs. 2, 3, and 4. 
John Locke’s Report, pp. 136, 139-42, Plate, iii, iv. Sqnier and Davis, Smithsonian Contributions, 
p. 125, Plates xl, xli, and xlii. 

3 The following are the dimensions as given by Mr. Hudson : 


Total length . . . . . . . .318 feet. 

Length of head . . . . . . 33 “ 

Length to first pair of legs . . . . . 63 “ 

Length to second pair of legs . . . . 105 “ 

Breadth of head . . . . . . . 27 “ 

Breadth of neck . . . . . . . 21 “ 

Breadth of body . . . . , . . 40 “ 

Diameter of the mounds . . . . . . 42 “ 










ANCIENT WORKS NEAR ROCK RIVER. 


41 


of the third lake. Here the rows present more the appearance of order and system 
than those of any other locality surveyed. The rows of smaller mounds parallel 
with the principal range, may have been for persons of inferior grades belonging to 
the families buried in the larger ones. The parallel ridges are upon ground sloping 
considerably towards the lake; and rise one above another, like the seats of an 
amphitheatre, to which they have been compared. The work in the rear of these 
ridges is quite regular, and intermediate in its character between a true cross and a 
bird-shaped mound. 

At the foot of this slope commences a flat, extending around the east end of the 
lake, from which it is separated by a low, sandy ridge. Along this ridge is a very 
remarkable series of irregular elevations, twenty-four in number; a part of them 
are represented on the plate. They are largest and most abrupt towards the water, 
and are covered with soil and a forest of scattered trees. On several are artificial 
mounds, one of them a turtle; but whether they are themselves artificial seems 
doubtful, though it is difficult to understand how they could have been formed by 
any natural process. A recent Indian grave occupies the summit of one; and we 
noticed, near by, the poles of a wigwam but recently abandoned by the red men, 
though we were in sight of the capital of the State. 

A ridge of sand or gravel is often formed around the margin of the small lakes 
in Wisconsin, by the expansive force of ice in winter; the materials near the shore 
being gradually moved year by year a little towards the land. But this cause is 
hardly adequate to the production of a series of mounds. 

There are traces of other mounds south and west of those represented on Plate 
XXXIII, but they were too much reduced by the plough to enable us to trace 
them and ascertain their original forms. 

On the north shore of the fourth lake, also on the first and second lakes, are said 
to be numerous works, which we did not visit. Eight miles northeast of Madison, 
the surveyors of the public lands have reported the existence of mounds (sections 
thirteen, twenty-three, and twenty-four, township eight, range ten), which we also 
were obliged to omit in our survey. 


SECTION II. 

ANCIENT WORKS AT AND IN THE VICINITY OF AZTALAN. 

These important works are represented on Plates XXXIV and XXXV, and 
give evidence of greater labor than those at any other locality in the State. They 
are important also on account of their resemblance or analogy to works in other 
parts of the United States. It is the only ancient inclosure, properly so called, 
in Wisconsin; and although it is usually termed a fort or citadel, it will be shown 
hereafter that it falls more properly into the class denominated “ sacred inclosures.” 
Without this we might be led to suppose that the ancient mound-builders of 
Wisconsin were a distinct people from those of Ohio, so different is the general 
character of their monuments. 

6 


42 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


The “ ancient city of Aztalan” has long been known, and often referred to, as 
one of the wonders of the western world. Many exaggerated statements respecting 
the “brick walls” supported by buttresses, the “stone arch,” &c., have been made; 
for all of which there is little foundation in truth. The remains were discovered 
in October, 1836, and hastily surveyed in January, 1837, hy N. F. Ilyer, Esq., who 
soon afterwards published a brief description of them, with a rude wood-cut, in the 
Milwaukie Advertiser, the first, and then the only newspaper, in this part of the 
country. This survey was made before there were settlements in the neighborhood, 
and was done in a cursory manner. The brief account, however, as published, 
gave a very good general idea of the works; and has been the foundation of all 
subsequent plans and descriptions up to the present time. 

Mr. Taylor’s description 1 was furnished by a friend, who only made a brief visit 
to the works, accompanied by Mr. Hyer, and added but little to our knowledge 
of these ruins; though it was published in a more permanent and accessible form, 
and hence is more generally known and referred to. Messrs. Squier and Davis have 
condensed this description, and copied the plan in their work, in the first volume of 
the Smithsonian Contributions (page 131, Plate xliv, Fig. 1), with a number of 
judicious suggestions as to the nature of the walls, the object of the “bastions,” 
&c. By comparing the plan and description thus given with what follows, the 
curious reader may trace the differences, and discover wherein the first fell short 
of presenting the whole truth. 

The name Aztalan w T as given to this place by Mr. Hyer, because, according to 
Plumboldt, the Aztecs, or ancient inhabitants of Mexico, had a tradition that their 
ancestors came from a country at the north, which they called Aztalan; and the 
possibility that these may have been remains of their occupancy, suggested the idea 
of restoring the name. It is made up of two Mexican words, ail, water, and an, 
near; and the country was probably so named from its proximity to large bodies of 
water. 2 Hence the natural inference that the country about these great lakes was 
the ancient residence of the Aztecs. 3 

Reference to Plate XXXIV will show that the main feature of these remains 
is the inclosure or ridge of earth (not brick, as has been erroneously stated), extend¬ 
ing around three sides of an irregular parallelogram; the west branch of Rock river 
forming the fourth side on the east. The space thus inclosed is seventeen acres and 
two thirds. The corners are not rectangular; and the embankment or ridge is not 
straight. The earth of which the ridge is made was evidently taken from the 
nearest ground, where there are numerous excavations of very irregular form and 
depth ; precisely such as may be seen along our modern railroad and canal embank¬ 
ments. These excavations are not to be confounded with the hiding-places ( caches) 
of the Indians, being larger and more irregular in outline. Much of the material of 
the embankment was doubtless taken from the surface without penetrating a sufficient 


1 Silliman’s Am. Journal, XLIV, 35. 

8 J. Delafield, Jr., Antiquities, &c., p. 101. 

3 Buschmann (Ueber d. Aztek. Ortsnamen, p. 6) says the name Aztlan is composed of the lost word 
aztli and the local termination (lan.—Secretary S. I. 




ANCIENT WORKS NEAR ROCK RIYER. 


43 


depth to leave a trace at the present time. If we allow for difference of exposure 
of earth thrown up into a ridge and that lying on the original flat surface, avc can 
perceive no difference between the soil composing the ridge and that found along 
its sides. Both consist of a light yellowish sandy loam. 

The ridge forming the inclosure is 631 feet long at the north end, 1,419 feet long 
on the west side, and 700 feet on the south side; making a total length of wall of 
2,750 feet. The ridge or Avail is about 22 feet wide, and from one foot to five in height. 

The Avail of earth is enlarged on the outside, at nearly regular distances, by 
mounds of the same material. They are called buttresses or bastions; but it is 
quite clear that they were never designed for either of the purposes indicated by 
these names. The distance from one to another varies from sixty-one to ninety-five 
feet, scarcely any tAvo of them being alike. Their mean distance apart is eighty- 
two feet. They are about forty feet in diameter, and from tAvo to five feet high. 
On the north wall, and on most of the Avest Avail, they have the same height as the 
connecting ridge; but on the south Avail, and the southern portion of the Avest Avail, 
they are higher than the ridge, and at a little distance resemble a simple roAV of 
mounds. 

On the inner side of the wall, opposite many of these mounds, is a slight depres¬ 
sion or sinus; possibly the remains of a sloping Avay by which the wall Avas ascended 
from within the inclosure. 

The two outworks, near the southwest angle of the great inclosure, are con¬ 
structed in the same manner; but both these mounds and the connecting ridge are 
of smaller dimensions. The ridge or way connecting the mounds at a and c, has 
something of the same general character, though still more obscure. When viewed 
from the road, a short distance Avest, these outAvorks AA T ould be supposed to be 
nothing more than a few circular mounds. The connecting ridge, at least, is too 
insignificant to be mistaken for the walls of a fort, or other work of defence. 
Whether these Avails are only a series of ordinary mounds, such as are found all 
over the western country, differing only in being united one to another, it may 
perhaps be difficult to decide. They may possibly have been designed for the same 
and for other purposes. 

On opening the w r alls near the top, it is occasionally found that the earth has 
been burned. Irregular masses of hard reddish clay, fall of cavities, bear distinct 
impressions of straw, or rather wild hay, with which they had been mixed before 
burning. These places are of no very considerable extent, nor are they more than 
six inches in depth. Fragments of the same kind are found scattered about; and 
they have been observed in other localities at a great distance from these ancient 
ruins. 

This is the only foundation for calling these “ brick Avails.” The “ bricks” were- 
ne\ 7 er made into any regular form, and it is even doubtful Avhether the burning 
did not take place in the Avail after it was built. The impression of the grass is 
sometimes so distinct as to sIioav its minute structure, and also that it was of the 
angular stems and leaves of the species of carex still groAving abundantly along the 
margin of the river. As indicating the probable origin of this burned clay, it is 
important to state, that it is usually mixed Avith pieces of charcoal, partially burned 


44 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


bones, &c. Fragments of pottery are also found in the same connection. The walls 
and mounds are composed of a light colored clay, which becomes red on being 
slightly burned. 

From all the facts observed, it is likely that clay was mixed with the straw, 
and made into some coarse kind of envelope or covering, for sacrifices about to 
be consumed. The whole was probably then placed on the wall of earth, 
mixed with the requisite fuel, and burned. The promiscuous mixture of charcoal, 
burned clay, charred bones, blackened pottery, &c., can only in this way be satis¬ 
factorily accounted for. The pottery was broken before it was buried, for the frag¬ 
ments were scattered about in a manner that clearly shows that the vessels were 
not entire. 

A shaft was sunk by us in the sixth mound from the northwest angle on the 
west wall. A fragment of galena (sulpliuret of lead), and another of iron ore used 
as red paint, and worn smooth, perhaps by long use in adorning the faces of the red 
men, were near the surface, and were the only articles found. No burned clay was 
on this mound, and we soon discovered that it is only in a few places that this sub¬ 
stance exists. The earth w r as here a yellowish sandy loam, entirely free from spots 
of black mould; thus showing that it was built exclusively from the subsoil of the 
adjacent grounds. The builders had carefully removed the black soil before they 
commenced the erection of this mound. Our shaft was sunk some distance below 
the original surface. Two of the smaller mounds in the interior were also opened, 
but without results of any interest. 

The mound, or projection, or buttress (whichever it may be termed), at the north¬ 
west angle of the inclosure, proved to be one of some interest. (See Fig. 14.) After 


Fig. 14. 



Section of the northwest corner mound, Aztalan. 


removing the sods with which it was covered, we came upon fragments of pottery, 
charcoal, half-burned human bones, and numerous amorphous masses of burned 
clay scattered loosely and promiscuously about in the earthy materials of the mound. 
This continued to the depth of one foot only; below, the earth was quite uniform 
in appearance, though still showing incontestable proofs of art. Occasional frag¬ 
ments of clay, charcoal, and fresh-water shells almost entirely decayed, were observed 
as we proceeded. Still deeper we found a cavity which was nearly filled with loose 
earth, in which were indications of bones very much decayed and charcoal. This 
was divided below into two other cylindrical cavities, extending beneath the original 
surface of the ground, and filled with the same loose materials. 

Two bodies had doubtless been buried here in the sitting posture, near each other, 
enveloped and covered, perhaps, by some perishable substances, which had decayed 
and left the cavity above; and this shows that the mounds at Aztalan, though con¬ 
stituting an inclosure, were used for burial purposes, as were other ordinary circular 
mounds. 





ANCIENT WORKS NEAR ROCK RIVER 


45 


Within this inclosure the ground descends towards the river more abruptly near 
the western wall, forming a kind of second bank, and then with a smooth even 
surface. This slope is interrupted only by a natural swell or eminence, shown at 
c, Plate XXXIV. The highest point in the interior is at the southwest corner, and 
is occupied by a square truncated mound, that, when seen from the high ground at 
c, presents the appearance of a pyramid, rising by successive steps like the gigantic 
structures of Mexico. (See section on Plate XXXIV.) This was doubtless the 
most sacred spot, as well as the highest. It will be observed that the inclosing 
walls curve around this pyramid, as if constructed afterwards, and made to conform 
to the shape of the ground. It is also further guarded by the two outer walls before 
described. 

The level area on the top was fifty-three feet wide on the west side, where, in 
consequence of the slope of the ground, it has the least elevation; and it was ori¬ 
ginally, in all probability, a square of this size. On other parts of the mound the 
sides are high and steep; and the abrading effects of time have acted most upon 
the summits. There appears to have been a sloping way leading from the top of 
this mound towards the east; but if so, it has now dwindled to a slight elevation 
or swell on that side. This road-way was connected with a ridge before alluded to, 
extending towards the prominent point c. From this last point there is a gradual 
and easy descent to the river. These level-topped mounds may have been the 
foundation only of some structure of more perishable materials. From the summit 
of the two high places, and especially from that at a, the whole works, and quite an 
extent of surrounding country, can be seen. 

At the northwest angle of the inclosure ( b ) is another rectangular, truncated, 
pyramidal elevation, of sixty by sixty-five feet level area on the top, with remains 
of its graded way, or sloping ascent, at the southeast corner, leading also towards a 
ridge that extends in the direction of the river. This mound occupies the summit 
of the ridge or bank before spoken of, though it rises but little, if any, above the 
top of the adjacent walls. It has been partially destroyed by persons curious in 
antiquarian research, and by one who, it is said, had been super naturally convinced 
that a large amount of money was deposited in it! 

There is another square structure (at d), which is level on the top; but as it 
stands on sloping ground, and has but little elevation, it runs to a grade even with 
the surface on the upper side. Just at this point a small mound has been erected, 
perhaps at a subsequent time, and by a different tribe or nation of people. 

The analogy between these elevations and the “temple-mounds” of Ohio and the 
Southern States, will at once strike the reader who has seen the plans and descrip¬ 
tions. They have the same square or regular form, sloping or graded ascent, the 
terraced or step-like structure, and the same position in the interior of the inclosure. 
This kind of formation is known to increase in numbers and importance as we pro¬ 
ceed to the south and southwest, until they are represented by the great structures 
of the same general character on the plains of Mexico. 

In this inclosure are ridges usually about two feet high, as represented on 
the plan. The rings or circles connected with them constitute a very peculiar 
feature, and are supposed to be the remains of mud houses; the materials of the 
walls having fallen, leaving only a circular mound of earth to mark their original 


46 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


pite. 1 No ridge exists along the river bank, as represented on Mr. Hyer’s plan; the 
steepness of the bank probably rendering- artificial works unnecessary for the pur¬ 
poses of the builders. Some of the interior ridges, it will be observed, are enlarged 
at intervals; thus showing an analogy with the main walls and outworks. 

There are two excavations (e and /), the first triangular, and the last circular, 
which, from their greater depth and regular shape, as well as distance from the walls, 
were probably not made in the process of obtaining materials for the structures. 
The excavation at e is so deep, and the soil so tenacious, that water stands in the 
bottom much of the time, affording a place for the growth of flags 2 and other 
aquatic plants. Perhaps the bottom may have been rendered water-tight by arti¬ 
ficial means. Undoubtedly it was once much deeper than at present; the tendency 
of rains and the accumulation of vegetable matter being to fill it up. The circular 
excavation (at /) is surrounded by a ridge consisting, doubtless, of the materials 
thrown out in the digging. 

Near this point are some springs in a small ravine cut into the bank by the pas¬ 
sage of water to the river. This ravine serves also as the outlet of the surface 
water from within this part of the inclosure. A few stones left along the sides and 
bottom of this ravine (the force of the water not being sufficient to remove them 
with the lighter particles of the earth), is all the evidence that could be found of 
an ancient sewer “ arched with stone.” It is quite clear that no such arch existed; 
nor is there any indication that the aboriginal inhabitants of the American con¬ 
tinent were acquainted with the nature of the arch. 3 If they were, they certainly 
did not apply such knowledge in the construction of any works at Aztalan. 


1 We are told by Catlin that “ the village of the Mandans has a most novel appearance to the eye of 
a stranger; their lodges are closely grouped together, leaving just room enough for walking and riding 
between them, and appear from without to be built entirely of dirt. They all have a circular form, and 
are from forty to sixty feet in diameter. Their foundations are prepared by digging some two feet in 
the ground, and forming the floor of earth by levelling the requisite space for the lodge. The super¬ 
structure is then produced by arranging inside of this circular excavation, firmly fixed in the ground 
and resting against the bank, a barrier, or wall of timbers, about six feet high, placed on end, and 
resting against each other, and supported by a formidable embankment of earth raised against them 
outside. Resting on the tops of these timbers are others of equal size, rising, at an angle of 45°, to the 
apex or sky-light, which is about three or four feet in diameter, answering also as a chimney. On the top 
of or over these poles or timbers, is placed a complete mat of willow boughs, of half a foot or more in 
thickness, that protects the timbers from the dampness of the earth with which the lodge is covered 
from bottom to top, to the depth of two or three feet, having above all a hard or tough clay which is 
impervious to water.”—N. Am. Indians, I, 81. 

3 Iris versicolor. 


Fia. 15. 



Arched Door, Uxmal (Stephens). 

8 Even in Yucatan and Central America, where the aboriginal buildings display the greatest advance 
in architecture, the arch was not used ; its substitute being stones laid horizontally, and made to overlap, 
as represented in Fig. 15—Stephens’s Yucatan, I, 429. 

















ANCIENT WORKS NEAR ROCK RIVER. 


47 


Nearly the whole interior of the inclosure appears to have been either excavated 
or thrown up into mounds and ridges; the pits and irregular excavations being quite 
numerous over much of the space not occupied by mounds. This want of regularity 
is opposed to the opinion that these excavations were for the cellars of buildings, as 
suggested by some. 

In a letter from Mr. J. C. Brayton, of Aztalan, he says: “ Several feet below the 
surface of the large square mound near the northwest corner of the inclosure was 
found, a number of years ago, what appeared to be the remains of cloth, apparently 
' enveloping a portion of a human skeleton. Its texture was open, like the coarsest 
linen fabric j but the threads were so entirely rotten, as to make it quite uncertain 
of what material they were made. 1 

“ Numerous fragments of earthenware have been taken from the mounds at 
different times : portions of broken vessels, varying in size (judging by the curve of 
the fragments), from a few inches to three feet across the rim. 

“ A number of rusty gun-locks, in scattered fragments, have been discovered at 
or near the surface of the ground; and pieces of iron, copper, and brass, have been 
found in the neighborhood. But all these, being relics of the recent Indian popu¬ 
lation, fail to throw any light upon the great questions of who made these works, 
and for what purpose were they constructed. The Winnebagos, the last occupants 
of this interesting locality, always answer in the negative by a significant shake of 
the head, when asked if they can tell who erected the mounds.” 

Mr. Brayton, who has resided in the vicinity of these works since their dis¬ 
covery, is of the opinion that none of the mounds have sensibly changed from 
natural causes since the first settlement of the country in 1836. 

Our examination of the tumuli exterior to the inclosure led to no very important 
results. The third from the north end of the long row, seen on the plate (about 
four feet high and thirty feet in diameter), was penetrated to the bottom, and the 
opening enlarged below in every direction. A post (apparently tamarack) had 
been inserted, and was now all decayed, except a portion near the bottom. 2 This 
may have been set in since the building of the mound, which was composed of 
black and yellow soil intermixed, having beneath gravel composed mostly of lime¬ 
stone pebbles. If these smaller tumuli ever covered any deposits, they are now so 
completely decayed that not the least trace of them can be discovered. 

While at Aztalan we were informed that upon opening one of the larger mounds 
some years ago, the remains of a skeleton were found, inclosed by a rude stone 


1 This is probably the same that was forwarded by Dr. King to the National Institute of Wash¬ 
ington.—See Silliman’s Journal, XLIV, 38. 

2 This post may have been the x’emains of a medicine pole, such as was erected by the Mandans. 
According to Mr. Catlin, the Mandans were in the habit of erecting mounds of earth near their vil¬ 
lages about three feet high, around which were arranged in circles the skulls of the dead, after their 
bodies had decayed on the scaffolds. On each mound was erected a pole, hung with articles of mys¬ 
terious and superstitious import. Something of this kind may be the origin of the numerous smaller 
mounds in Wisconsin, in which no traces of artificial or human deposits could be lound.—See N. Am. 
Indians, I, 190. 




48 ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 

wall, plastered with clay, and covered with a sort of inverted vase of the same 
materials. 

A number of these mounds have been opened at different times, and their con¬ 
tents, having been carried away to various parts of the world, cannot now be 
recovered. 

With the view of ascertaining the contents of the larger elevations for ourselves, 
we selected one in Mound Street, ten feet in height, and sixty feet in diameter 
at the base, into which a trench four feet wide was dug, extending from the south 
side to beyond the centre, and down to the subsoil or stratum of gravel that under¬ 
lies the superficial covering of vegetable mould. 

The earth was quite uniform throughout; consisting of dark-colored mould and 
yellowish sandy loam, mixed in small quantities. Ashes, mingled with charcoal, 
were observed as we went down, and occasionally fragments of human bones. No 
skeleton was found; no stonework or earthenware—no stone or metallic imple¬ 
ments of any kind could be discovered. Bones of some burrowing animals, and 
the remains of a fish were taken out. Fragments of rotten wood, apparently oak, 
were found at all depths. They were not charred, nor did they appear to have 
had any definite arrangement, but were confusedly placed, as if carelessly thrown 
upon the mound during the progress of its construction. 

From the oft-repeated indications of fire at various depths, we could draw no 
other conclusion than that this was a “mound of sacrifice,” and that at each repeti¬ 
tion of the ceremony an addition was made to the height of the mound. 

The gopher 1 often burrows in the artificial tumuli to find a dry place for its 
nest; and roots of trees penetrate to their lowest depths. 

The question naturally arises in the mind of the observer, For what purpose 
was this great inclosure made ? Mr. Hyer called it a citadel, and it is usually 
termed “ the fort,” and supposed to be a work of defence—a place to which the 
mound-builders resorted for safety when hard pressed by an enemy. Various 
reasons have been assigned for this supposition. Its connection with the river, 
affording a means of supply to the besieged—its buttresses or bastions—its out¬ 
works—its watch-towers—might all seem to convey the idea of a military work 
or a fortification. 

Although when we attempt to describe these remains, the technical terms of 
military men are found convenient, and sometimes applicable; yet the “ fort,” the 
“ buttresses,” the “ bastions,” &c., have but remote resemblance to such construc¬ 
tions. Expressions like these often lead the superficial observer and reader astray, 
and may have done so in this case. 

Messrs. Squier and Davis show very conclusively that the circular projections 
on the exterior of the walls could not have been intended for bastions. 2 It is 
equally clear that a ridge of earth twenty-two feet wide and five feet high, does 
not need the support of buttresses. 


1 The name here universally applied to the thirteen-lincd marmot (Spermophilus tridecemlineahis). 

2 Smithsonian Contributions, I, 132. 



ANCIENT WORKS NEAR ROCK RIVER. 


49 


But this fort is entirely commanded from the summit of a ridge extending along 
the west side, nearly parallel with (see Plate XXXIV), and much higher than the 
west walls themselves, and within a fair arrow-shot; so that an enemy posted on 
it would have a decided advantage over those within the defences. This ridge 
would also constitute an excellent breastwork to protect an enemy from the arrows 
or other weapons shot from the supposed fort. As if purposely to assist an 
approaching enemy, a number of mounds have been erected along the ridge, 
affording secure hiding-places and look-out stations, very convenient to the attack¬ 
ing party. These may, however, have been erected at a more recent date. 

Again, the large mounds of the remarkable row northwest of the inclosure are 
not in connection with it, but are excellent points from which to reconnoitre and 
annoy the occupants of the supposed fortress. 

From the summit of the ridge before alluded to, as will be seen by the sections 
on Plate XXXV, the ground descends towards the river; so that the inclosure is 
on a declivity, and is thus commanded from the opposite side of the river. Here, 
again, as if purposely to render aid and comfort to an enemy, a breastwork is 
erected, extending along the margin of the stream, from behind which arrows or 
other weapons could be thrown directly into the fort by persons lying in perfect 
security. 

From the skill exhibited by the mound-builders in their works of defence in other 
portions of the West, we cannot imagine that they would construct such a fort as 
this; we might at least expect that the walls would be extended so as to include 
the ridge parallel to it. There is no guarded opening, or gateway, into the inclo¬ 
sure. It can only be entered by water, or by climbing over the walls. 

The only ancient work resembling this in its general features heretofore described, 
is that of Tuloom, in Yucatan, of which an account is given by Mr. Stephens, and 
quoted by Mr. Squier. 1 This is an inclosure of about the same dimensions, and 
bounded on the east by the sea; it consists of a loose stone wall, with watch-towers 
at the two west corners, corresponding with the two large pyramidal mounds at 
Aztalan, except that they are placed on the walls. 

Mr. Stephens represents this as a walled city; but it must be admitted that only 
a very small city can be included in a space fifteen hundred by six hundred and 
fifty feet, or twenty-two and a half acres. Mr. Squier thinks that this structure 
was erected for some sacred object, though used, probably, as a place of defence in a 
last resort; and, in view of all the facts before stated, it may be inferred that the 
inclosure at Aztalan was intended for similar purposes, and not primarily occupied 
as a place of defence. 

We may suppose it to have been a place of worship; the pyramidal mounds 
being the places of sacrifice, like the teocalli of Mexico. From its isolated situation 
—there being no other similar structure for a great distance in any direction—we 
may conjecture that this was a kind of Mecca, to which a periodical pilgrimage was 


1 Yucatan, II, 396; Aboriginal Monuments of New York, p. 98, in Smithsonian Contributions, 
Yol. II. In the accompanying figure the arrow, indicating the cardinal points, is reversed. 

7 



50 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


prescribed by their religion. Here may have been the great annual feasts and 
sacrifices of a whole nation. Thousands of persons from remote locations may 
have engaged in midnight ceremonies conducted by the priests. The temple, 
lighted by fires kindled on the great pyramids and at every projection on the 
walls, on such occasions would have presented an imposing spectacle, well calcu¬ 
lated to impress the minds of the people with awe and solemnity. That these 
works were designed for some such uses, seems quite probable. 

Plate XXXV represents the same structures on a smaller scale, and shows their 
relation to the neighboring country. It will be seen that, excepting a few mounds, 
no other artificial works are connected with the great inclosure; nor do these pre¬ 
sent that variety of imitative forms so common in other localities. Half a mile 
off, in a southwesterly direction, is a square pyramidal mound, similar to those 
within the inclosure. 

Do not these facts warrant the suggestion that the people of Aztalan, in Wis¬ 
consin, were a different people, in many respects, from those who erected the 
animal-shaped mounds? This location may possibly have been occupied by a 
colony of Mexicans; since we know that colonies were sometimes sent out by that 
singular people. 1 

It is much to be regretted that the efforts heretofore made to preserve these very 
interesting remains of the labors of an extinct race are likely to fail. At the time 
of our survey, a crop of wheat was growing on the south part of the great inclo¬ 
sure ; and, in a few years, but slight traces of this part of the works will be left. 
The north part is still in its original condition, except where excavations have 
been made by persons curious in such matters, or by the money-diggers! 

Would it not be well to select some of the more important monuments, and, by 
purchase of the ground, or other means, secure their permanent preservation? 
Unless something of this kind is done, and speedily, all knowledge of them will be 
confined to the scanty records of those who have attempted to describe them. 


SECTION III. 

ANCIENT WORKS OF THE VALLEY OF ROCK RIVER, ABOVE THOSE AT AZTALAN. 

In the valley of Rock river we find no traces of ancient works for some distance 
above Aztalan; the first being in the town of Ixonia (section nineteen, township 
eight, range sixteen). Here are seven or eight mounds along the right bank of the 
river, on an elevated position, as usual, commanding a fine view of the river above 
and below. There are said to be others in the vicinity. 

One of them has been opened for the purpose of making a place in which to 
bury potatoes, to secure them from the frosts of winter. Numbers of human bones 
are said to have been thrown out from near the bottom, where the earth had been 
hardened by some artificial process. No implements or ornaments were noticed. 


1 Squier’s Nicaragua, Yol. II. 



ANCIENT WORKS NEAR ROCK RIVER. 


51 


Fig. 16. 



At Wolf Point (section twenty-seven, township ten, range sixteen), in the lower 
part of the town of Hustisford, we observed traces of a recently abandoned Indian 
village, but no ancient works. Here, it is said, a great Indian battle was fought, in 
times long gone by; and here Black Hawk made a stand against his white pursuers 
in 1832. 

At Hustisford a stone was shown us, which, by the aid of a little imagination, may 
be supposed to represent the head of a bird; and which 
was held in great veneration by the Winnebago Indians, 
who have but very recently been removed from this part 
of the State. It is a boulder of gneissoid granite, of acci¬ 
dental form, caused by the unequal decay and disintegra¬ 
tion of the different layers of which it is composed. (See 
Fig. 16.) 

At this place (Hustisford), there are the remains of a 
number of lizard mounds by the mill race, and also on 
the point opposite, on the east side of the river. There is a mound only two feet 
high, but having a considerable level area on the top, near the mill, which is said 
to be the place where prisoners of war were tortured and sacrificed by the Indian 
inhabitants. An examination disclosed partially calcined stones, ashes, charcoal, 
&c., in the centre. 

The river here has a rapid current, caused by a ledge of limestone of the same 
kind as that in the lead districts of the western part of the S.tate; the whole fall 
being about seven feet. 

The country around is made up of a series of ridges like those before referred to, 
with intervening valleys, having a general direction nearly north and south. They 
are usually from twenty to fifty feet, and occasionally even one hundred feet in 
height, and frequently several miles in length. One of these ridges of great height, 
on the east side of the river, seems to have been selected as the principal cemetery, 
as we find it occupied by a series of round mounds, forming a nearly straight row 
along the summit. (Fig. IT.) They are so situated, that if the forest-trees were 


Fig. 17. 






0 Cco oqo hi ° 0 °° 






removed, a very extended prospect could be obtained, embracing the site of the 
village below, and the course of the river in either direction. Three of these are 
partially blended at the base, and two had a slight ridge extending towards the north¬ 
east, or in a direction from the village; or the tadpole (the significant name of this 
variety of mound) was headed towards the principal works and probably main 
residence of the ancient population. 

The lizards are here, as in most localities of a similar kind, placed with the 





52 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


head or largest part towards the water. Among them are a number with only one 
projection or leg, as shown in Fig. 18. 


Fig. IS, 



About five miles northwest of Hustisford, on the road to Juneau, the county seat 
(section twenty-six, township eleven, range fifteen), is an animal-formed mound, 
headed southward, and a ridge about one thousand feet in length, being much longer 
than any heretofore noticed. The direction is a little north of east. They do 
not appear to be connected with other works in the vicinity. 

In the northwest part of this town are a number of mounds, but presenting no 
varieties different from those before described; excepting one cross, which, from the 
uniformity and great length of the arms, appears to differ from others. (See Fig. 19.) 


Fig. 10, 






,|,.. 


I 


o 


The Cross on section six, township eleven, range fifteen. Surveyed, 1851, by I. A. Laphain, 


It is situated near the road, on the north line of section six, township eleven, range 
fifteen, one of the arms being crossed by it. The middle is on a gentle eminence, 


ANCIENT WORKS NEAR ROCK RIVER. 


53 


so that the arms descend in each direction. Being on an open prairie, there is an 
extended view from this point. Each arm appears to be of about the same size and 
length. The plough having already commenced its work of destruction, we could 
not determine the proportions exactly. The compass indicated that the arms were 
constructed almost precisely at right angles. 

These remains are on the borders of a prairie, which, from the unevenness of its 
surface, is denominated “ Rolling Prairie.” One prominent elevation has been sup¬ 
posed to be artificial (Fig. 20); but a little examination satisfied us that it was 
natural. 


Fig. 20. 



Natural Mound on Rolling Prairie. 


Towards the source of the Beaver Dam river, we found numerous mounds; 
especially near the northwest corner of the town of Juneau (township eleven, range 
fifteen). On section seven are some “ oblongs,” one which was probably a “ cross,” 
and two others, broad and flat, with tails. These are much injured by cultivation. 
They occupy a broad, gently undulating plain, the margin of the Rolling Prairie. 

At the village of Beaver Dam, the stream is interrupted by a dam, so as to form 
a pond ten miles in length, similar, in many respects, to the one at Horicon, on 
Rock river. On the border of this pond, a little west of the village, was a series 
of mounds, now quite destroyed by the road that runs directly over them. Their 
forms could not be made out with any degree of accuracy. 

Fig. 21 represents two mounds, with a connection probably accidental, situated 


Fig. 21. 



on section one, township eleven, range fourteen. The effigy could not be made out 
in the cultivated field; but it was, apparently, of the kind called the lizard. 


t 































54 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN 


A few miles N. W. of this locality, on section twenty-seven, township twelve, 
range fourteen, is a group of various forms, mostly injured or destroyed. Their 
original number is estimated to have been between thirty and fifty. They were 
mostly of the turtle form, though some are said to have resembled the lizard, the 
buffalo, &c. 

The works at Waushara, near the outlet of Fox lake, were on both sides of the 
river; but those on the east side were destroyed by the growth of the village. One 
circular tumulus was beautifully decorated with flowers, and will be preserved as 
an ornament in the flower garden of one of the citizens; a commendable instance 
of good taste. 

On the west side of the stream is an extensive group containing a cross, 
oblongs, circular mounds, one of the bird form, and two that were perhaps intended 
to represent the elk (see Fig. 22). These are on the ridge, and along the slopes 
of the ridge, running parallel with the river, and but a short distance from it. 
Among the figures was a cross, the arms of which were oblique (Fig. 23), and one 


Fig. 22. 


Fig. 23 



At Waushara. 


with the tail forming a tangent to the mound (Fig. 24), its outline resembling some 
forms of the war-club, or the modern tobacco-pipe. 

The next point visited was a high bank at the northeast angle of the lake 
(sections eleven and fourteen, township thirteen, range thirteen), and near the 
mouth of a small stream. At this place are several crosses, one structure of the 
bird form, and numerous ridges, but not arranged with any apparent order or 
system. In the same locality are numerous corn-hills and “caches” of the present 
tribes, who still make their annual visits to the spot. We saw a flattish boulder 
which had been used as a sort of anvil for pounding or pulverizing corn and 
perhaps other substances. 

Near the source of a small branch of Rock river, called the Rubicon, is a fine 
little sheet of water called Pike lake. The banks are low, except on the east side; 
and on the north side there is a group of works as sketched on Plate XXXVI, 
presenting some characteristics not before observed. Here is another mound with 
a level area on the top, being the frustrum of a cone, similar to the temple 
mounds, supposed to be places of sacrifice. There are three others of the ordinary 
form, two of the imitative forms, and a semicircular ridge embracing a circular 








ANCIENT WORKS NEAR ROCK RIVER. 


55 


excavation at one extremity, and partially inclosing another. The figure at the 
east has but one projection or leg, and a forked tail; the other figure differs from 
most of the lizard-mounds in the fact that the body and tail are not in the same 
straight line. 

The bank of the lake is more elevated at this point than on either side, where 
are some low grounds with springs and marshy places. A little east of this lake 
is a high peak or hill, which we ascended, but found no traces of ancient works 
on its summit. 

But the most extended and varied groups of ancient works, and the most com¬ 
plicated and intricate, are at Horicon. Plate XXXYII represents the principal 
groups immediately below the town, but does not include all in this vicinity. They 
occupy the high bank of the river on both sides. 

It will he seen that most of the forms heretofore described are represented at 
this place, and some are combined in a very curious manner. There are about two 
hundred ordinary round mounds in this neighborhood, and all, with two exceptions, 
quite small. The two large ones, on the west side of the river, have an elevation 
of twelve feet, and are sixty-five feet in diameter at the base. The others are from 
one to four or five feet high. In several of them we noticed very recent Indian 
graves, covered with slabs or stakes, in the usual method of modern Indian burial. 
They belong to the Potawattomies. One is protected by slabs driven in a sloping 
manner, so as to meet at the top like the roof of a house. Another has a kind of 
pen made of sticks about six inches in diameter. These graves show the peculiarity 
of having but one kind of wood on one grave; the slabs being made of oak, and 
the pen made of elm. The larger and more conspicuous mounds are generally 
selected by the Indians for the burial of their dead. 

There are sixteen mounds of the cruciform variety. (See Plate XXXYI, Nos. 
1 and 2.) They are not placed in any uniform direction—some having the head 
towards the north, some towards the south; nor do they appear to be turned 
towards the river. The form seen, Plate XXXYI, No. 1, is exactly like that of 
the mounds on the Milwaukee river; but that represented on No. 2 of the same 
plate was first observed at this place. 

There is one mound, of which only a small portion appears on the plate, 
regularly tapering for a length of five hundred and seventy feet. At the smaller 
extremity it is slightly curved to the east. At its larger extremity is a large cross, 
and one of the largest mounds. 

The animal form, Plate XXXYI, No. 3, is repeated, with slight modifications, 
seven times. It may be supposed to represent the otter. 

If the two composite figures, one on each side of the river, near the centre of 
the group, are animals, performing some action, it is quite difficult to decide what 
the animal or the action may be that is intended to be represented. Yet it can 
hardly be supposed that these works were erected without design. They doubtless 
have some meaning which it is now impossible to ascertain. 

Several of the mounds had been opened; but we could not learn of any results, 
excepting the discovery of human bones, and, in one case, the bones of a quadruped. 
We opened one of the smaller ones, and, after a careful search, could trace no indi- 


56 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


cations that anything had ever been deposited beneath it. If a human body or 
anything else had been buried there, all traces of it had disappeared. It is difficult 
to comprehend for what purpose the very numerous small tumuli were made, if not 
for burial; and yet it is hardly probable that all evidence of such use would have 
disappeared. They are here commonly made of the black vegetable mould, but 
slightly mixed with the subsoil, which has a lighter color. 

On the other hand, one of the crosses w r as composed of whitish earth, evidently 
taken from beneath the surface-soil. The animal mounds and crosses, being com¬ 
posed of whitish earth, can sometimes he traced in a cultivated field, even after it 
is ploughed down to a level with the general surface. One of the crosses imme¬ 
diately south of the two large mounds seen on the plate, has the arms extended 
quite athwart the top of the ridge, which is here flanked on one side by the river, 
and on the other by an extensive marsh, or natural wet meadow. 

Immediately above, the river expands into a broad and shallow lake, extending 
twelve miles, with a mean breadth of five miles. Until recently this lake was four 
feet lower than at present, and was mostly covered with a floating morass. Im¬ 
mense numbers of fish and water-fowls are found there, and afford subsistence to 
the inhabitants. These advantages have probably, from the remotest antiquity, 
given this situation a prominence in the estimation of the various tribes or nations 
who have successively occupied the country. It is a fact of some importance, in 
deciding upon the general characteristics of the mound-builders, that they have 
selected the same localities as their successors, and probably for the same reasons, 
to wit: the greater facility of subsistence. 

The beaver and otter, in former times, doubtless occupied the shores of this lake, 
as the muskrat still continues to do. The several sources of the Rock river run 
into the lake at various points, and their united waters are discharged at Horicon. 
It has an elevation above Lake Michigan of two hundred and ninety feet. The 
celebrated Sauk chief, Black Hawk, formerly had his residence at this point. 

There are various interesting localities of ancient works in the vicinity of May- 
ville, as wall be seen on Plate XXXVIII. The most extended of these is on the 
northwest quarter of section eighteen, township twelve, range seventeen, two miles 
northeast of the village. This group is shown on Plate XXXIX. It comprises 
thirty-five mounds of various forms, and occupies a nearly level strip between the 
base of a large ridge 1 * * * and brook. 

We found here one of the largest and most regular turtle-mounds w 7 e had yet 
seen, and three or four of the quadruped form, one of which is represented on an 
enlarged scale on Plate XXXIX. The two crosses are directed towards the north¬ 
east, while most of the other forms have an opposite direction. Their arms are 
seldom at right angles with the body, nor are the two parts of the body or trunk 
in the same line. The head is always largest, highest, and nearly rectangular in 


1 On Plate XXXVIII, I have endeavored to represent these diluvial ridges, and to show how they 

give direction to the water-courses. It would be a matter of much interest to the geologist to deter¬ 

mine their extent and exact nature, with the view of ascertaining, if possible, their origin. But such 

an investigation would be out of place in this memoir. 


I 


I 



ANCIENT WORKS NEAR ROCK RIVER. 


57 


form. Their height corresponds with that of the other figures, it being usually 
from two to four feet. If these crosses are to be deemed evidence of the former 
existence of Christianity on this continent (as some have inferred), we may, with 
almost equal propriety, assert that Mohammedanism was associated with it, and, 
as proof, refer to the mound or ridge here represented in the form of a crescent. 

Three mounds, near the north end of the group, are cleft at the extremity, like 
that noticed at Burlington (Plate XIII, Fig. 2). One of them might be supposed 
to represent a fish, and, as the finny tribe must have afforded a principal source of 
subsistence to the builders, it would not be surprising if they should include them 
in the list of animals to be thus depicted. In that case the cleft extremity should 
be considered as a forked tail, rather than an open mouth. The general direction 
of the other figures would naturally suggest the same thing, at least in this locality. 

In a cultivated field, near these works, were traces of other mounds, whose 
nature we could not determine; they were too far gone to be restored. 

Half a mile east of this extensive group is a smaller cluster, consisting of two 
animals and two oblong mounds. They were discovered by the engineer party in 
the survey of the Valley Railroad, who reported the animals as resembling the 
horse. Mr. Logan Crawford, Deputy Surveyor of Dodge county, made a survey 
and drawing of one, given on Plate XXXVIII, which, as will be seen, has but 
little resemblance to a horse. It was, without doubt, constructed by men who 
had never seen or heard of such an animal, being long before its introduction upon 
the American continent. 

The two figures at this place are almost exactly alike, and Mr. Crawford’s outline 
may be relied upon as correct. The dimensions were ascertained by running a line 
over the mound lengthwise, and then measuring at right angles from this line to 
thirty-six of the most prominent points in the outline. The height on the shoulders 
and fore-part of the body is about two and a half feet. The legs, tail, head, and 
neck, are not more than one foot high. Its whole length is one hundred and 
twenty-four feet. 

Directly north of Mayville (on the northeast quarter of section fourteen, town¬ 
ship twelve, range sixteen), on the eastern declivity, and near the base of a ridge, 
I saw some traces of ancient cultivation, in the form of garden-beds, with inter¬ 
mediate paths. In one place, where the beds were examined, they are one hundred 
feet long, and had a uniform breadth of six feet, with a direction nearly east and 
west. The depressions or walks between the beds were about eight inches deep 
and fifteen inches wide. 

The next group of mounds noticed was at the northern extremity of a ridge near 
the lower dam and mills (northwest quarter of section fourteen). There were five 
elevations of the circular form, three of them with a projecting ridge, gradually 
tapering to the extremity, being of the kind called “tadpoles.” 1 There are also 
two of the lizard form, the tail of one being in contact with the head ot the other. 


1 This form (see Fig. 18, p. 51), may possibly have been intended to represent the gourd, an 
ancient American plant, doubtless much used by the mound-builders. 

8 





58 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


On the adjoining tract (northeast quarter of section fifteen), are some round 
mounds; among them two of larger dimensions than usual, being from twelve to 
fourteen feet in height, and from sixty-five to seventy feet in diameter. 

These several groups form a regular row, from east to west, a little north of May- 
ville. There is a similar arrangement at about the same distance south of the 
village, commencing at a group of three mounds near the centre of section twenty- 
six, which were very accurately surveyed and delineated by Mr. Crawford (see 
Plate XL)—the cross, as usual, with a direction opposite to that of the other 
figures, of which the central one is doubtless intended to represent the trunk and 
arms of the human body. The trunk is two feet high, the arms and shoulders 
one foot. The animal-shaped figure is brought too near this man on the plate 
(being ninety feet distant). It differs from most others of similar configuration 
in its slender form, rounded head, and recurved caudal extremity. The body is for 
most of its length two and a half feet high; the legs, head, and tail are one foot and 
a half high; but the tail gradually slopes down to about six inches at the extremity. 

On the northeast quarter of section twenty-seven is a group of four mounds, of 
which one has the unusual form represented on Plate XXXIX. What it was 
designed to represent, it is difficult to conjecture. 

The next group is three miles southwest of Mayville, being on the northwest 
quarter of the same section, and occupying the southern extremity of one of the 
remarkable ridges so often mentioned. The road from Mayvilie to Horicon passes 
directly by it. The general character of the figures will be understood by inspection 
of Plate XL. A portion were in a cultivated field, and the breaking-up plough 
had just been at work upon the remainder. Another year, and it would have been 
for ever too late to delineate them. It will be observed that all the figures of this 
group have their heads in one general southwesterly direction, except the cross, 
which, as is almost always the case, has a course directly opposite. From the 
extremity of the longest mound, which is on the highest ground, a general view of 
the whole is obtained; and this may, perhaps, be regarded as the watch-tower or 
look-out station. It is four hundred feet long. 

On section thirty-three, near Horicon lake, are also some mounds, not shown 
on the plate, lying west of those represented. They consist of two ridges, one of 
considerable length, on the side of a ridge sloping towards the lake. 

On the very high ledgo of limestone, at the southwest corner of section twenty- 
seven, which overlooks Lake Horicon, I was disappointed in not finding artificial 
works. 

On section twenty-five, township eleven, range sixteen, about seven miles south 
of Mayville, is a cross examined by Mr. S. E. Lefferts, of that place. We did not 
visit this locality, though we learned that the cross is associated with other mounds. 

At the town of Theiesa, on the elevated ground on the south side of the river, 
near the residence of Solomon Juneau, Esq., is a group of figures mostly of the 
lizard or oblong forms, and among them an excavation similar to those observed at 
Fort Atkinson and near Milwaukee (see Plate IX, Fig. 5). Most of the lizard 
mounds heie aie directed towards the south, but two are in an opposite direction; 
this being the first case of the kind observed. 


59 


ANCIENT WORKS NEAR ROCK RIVER. 

A few Indians (Mcnomonees and Winnebagos) still reside here, and their wig¬ 
wams are associated with the more substantial buildings of the white man. One 
of the oblong elevations was entirely covered with graves recently made by them. 

I have heard of other works twelve miles east of Theresa, and at Mound Prairie, 
eight miles north; also about a mile and a half below Waupun, north of Horicon 
lake. 


\ 


CHAPTER IV. 


AXCIEXT WORKS IX THE BASIX OF THE XEEXAH, OR FOX 

RIYER OF GREEX BAY. 

This important river rises in Columbia'and Adams counties, in two small 
streams that unito a few miles north of Fort Winnebago. Thence it has a 
sluggish current and crooked course, expanding into broad shallow lakes, or wind¬ 
ing through rice marshes, until it enters Lake Winnebago. At a place known as 
Butte des Morts (or Mound of the Dead), it receives the waters of Wolf river, 
which is larger than the Neenali itself Between Lake Winnebago and Green bay 
the river has a descent, over numerous rapids, of one hundred and seventy feet. 

The public surveys not having all been completed, the area drained by this river 
cannot be exactly stated; but it is estimated at about 6,700 square miles. 

At a place on the east side of Green bay, called the Red Banks (township 
twenty-five, range twenty-two), as we are informed by Hon. Morgan L. Martin, in 
his annual discourse before the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, delivered in 
1851, there are traces of ancient cultivation, still distinct, over a tract of several 
hundred acres, now overgrown with forest-trees of a large size; the product, accord¬ 
ing to computation, of five centuries. The remains of an embankment inclosing an 
acre or two of ground, occupy an elevated position in the immediate vicinity. 

No other aboriginal works about Green bay have come to my knowledge, though 
they may have existed and been long since destroyed; for settlements have ex¬ 
isted there since a period nearly or quite as far back as the year 1665. 

Fig. 25. 


Little Butte des Morts, as seen across the Lake. June 14, 1851. 

Nor do we find such traces along the rapids below Lake Winnebago. The 
advantages of water power had no attraction for the natives. The gently flowing 
stream and placid lake were more favorite places of resort. Hence, we perceive 
no indications of ancient mounds till near Lake Winnebago; the first one in 
ascending the river being on the west side of Little Lake Butte des Morts, a 
name indicating the existence of the mound, and the purpose for which it was 
erected. (See Fig. 25.) 




















ANCIENT WORKS NEAR FOX RIVER. 


61 


This tumulus is about eight feet high, and fifty feet in diameter. It is to be 
hoped that a monument so conspicuous, and so beautifully situated, may be for ever 
preserved as a memento of the past. It is a picturesque and striking object in 
passing along this fine lake, and may have been the cause of serious rellections and 
high resolves to many a passing savage. It is well calculated to affect not less the 
bosoms of more enlightened men. There is neither necessity nor excuse for its 
destruction; and we cannot but again express the hope that it will be preserved 
for the benefit of all who may pass along that celebrated stream. 

The summit of the mound is about fifty feet above the lake, affording a very 
pleasing view embracing the lake and the entrance to the north channel of the river. 

Among the articles discovered in the field near by, w r as some burnt clay in irre¬ 
gular fragments, with impressions of the leaves and stems of grass, precisely like 
those found at Aztalan. 

This had been a place of burial, and, perhaps, of well contested battles; for the 
plough constantly turns up fragments of human bones and teeth, much broken and 
decayed. Arrow-points of flint, and pipes of the red pipestone and other materials, 
have also been brought to light. 

Two miles further east, and half a mile from Menasha, is a group of eight 
mounds about four feet high, and from forty to fifty feet in diameter. They are on 
the southeast quarter of section fourteen, township twenty, range seventeen, not far 
from the shore of Lake Winnebago. This ground lias been selected for a cemetery 
by the present inhabitants, w r ho do not scruple to dig up the Indian skeletons to 
make room for the bodies of a more civilized race. 

The ground here, as in numerous other places, exhibits marks of former culture 
in rows or beds, very different from that of the modern Indians. These are covered 
with a dense forest of young and thrifty trees, the largest not more, perhaps, than 
one hundred and fifty years old; so that the whole have grown up since the time 
of Marquette, or within one hundred and eighty years. 

In the village of Menasha is an elongated mound, quite high at the end towards 
the river, and terminating at a point at the other. A similar one exists on Doty’s 
island, 1 forming a sort of counterpart to the first. They are not exactly opposite, 
but are both directed towards the river. 

The eastern extremity of Doty’s island has long been occupied by Indians, as is 
evinced by the regular cornhills covering nearly the whole surface, as well as by a 
new feature, not before observed, or supposed to be within the pale of Indian cus¬ 
toms. The ground was originally covered with loose stones, fragments of the solid 
limestone rock that exists everywhere not far beneath the surface. These stones 
had been carefully collected into little heaps and ridges, to make room for the culture 
of the native crops. The stone heaps are six or eight feet in diameter, and from 
one to two feet in height. The interstices are now filled with soil, and partially 
covered with grass and weeds. 

The country about Lake Winnebago w r as first inhabited by the Kickapoo tribe; 


1 The residence of Hon. James D. Doty, M. C. 



62 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


though it is stated that the Mascontins (Gens des Prairies ) were there at one time. 1 
The former were driven away by the wandering and warlike tribes of Sauks and 
Foxes, who very early united, and, penetrating to the west, first established them¬ 
selves here. They were in turn compelled to move further west by the Chip- 
pewas, aided by the French. 2 How long the Chippewas maintained possession is 
not known. In 17G6, Carver found on Doty’s island, “ a great town of the Winne- 
bagoes ;” 3 and more recently this region has been occupied by the Menomonees. 

Which of these tribes, if either, performed the labor of gathering up the stones, 
it would be difficult to decide; nor are we able to say whether the heaps are of the 
same age as the mounds or of later origin. 

From Menasha we went in a sail-boat across the north end of Lake Winnebago, 
to examine and survey the mounds on the top of a high limestone cliff or ledge. 

On the northwest quarter of section thirty-six is a small clearing on the bank of 
the lake, not far from the foot of the bluff, in which were traces of three long 
mounds; and in the adjacent forest are three small embankments, extending across 
a small ridge from the bank of the lake to a valley back of it. We had much dif¬ 
ficulty in climbing the ledge, which has quite a formidable aspect, and is probably 
two hundred feet high above the water; the last forty or fifty being perpendicular, 
or nearly so. From the top commences an almost level plateau, extending towards 
the east; and here we were fully paid for our labor, by the magnificent view of the 
lake and surrounding country. Those who have examined the banks of the Niagara 
below the great falls, or the mountain ridge as is seen in western New York and 
Canada, will have a correct idea of this ledge of limestone; and being composed 
of a rock of the same geological age, the resemblance is not to be wondered at. 

Passing along the ridge, we came upon the series of ancient works represented 
upon Plate XLI, No. I, 4 extending for some distance near the edge of the rocky 
escarpment. It will be observed that they are of the same forms as those hereto¬ 
fore described further south and southwest, and, with one or two exceptions, arc 
arranged with the heads towards the south. 

The fact that the first figure is placed transversely, preceded by two mounds or 
advanced posts, may have a particular significance; but, if so, its meaning is now 
lost. The cross, near the centre of the group, is usually called “ the man” by the 
few persons who have seen this locality; but it wants the legs and the contraction 
for the neck, seen in the mounds of human form at the West. 

These are the most northern of any animal-shaped mounds in the eastern part of 
Wisconsin. They terminate near the south line of section thirty-six, township 
twenty, range eighteen. 

Although tormented by mosquitos, and oppressed by the close, hot, and damp 
atmosphere of the dense forest, we followed the ledge five miles to another series 
of similar remains, represented on the same plate, No. 2. 


1 Drake’s Life of Black Hawk, p. 10. 

2 Supposed to have been in 1106. 

3 Carver’s Travels, &c., N. Y. ed. 1838, p. 41. 

4 On this plate the figures are brought nearer together than the scale requires; but the distances 
thus encroached upon are given on the plate. 







ANCIENT WORKS NEAR FOX RIV-J3R. 


63 

They are situated on the extremity of a ridge, at a place where the main ledge is 
further back from the lake, and is much less steep. 

Here was found a turtle-mound, but differing from the usual form in several 
particulars, as will be seen by the figure. 

The land along the east shore of Lake Winnebago is among the finest in the 
State. The growth of trees and shrubs is so dense that it is difficult to penetrate 
it without the aid of an axeman. It is just such land as would be selected by an 
agricultural people. 

These are, doubtless, the structures alluded to by Mr. R. C. Taylor, from infor¬ 
mation communicated to him by Dr. Lyman Foote, of the United States Army. 1 

There are mounds of ordinary circular form in the vicinity of the southern extre¬ 
mity of Lake Winnebago; some of them have been opened and found to contain 
human bones. 

We have heard of others of imitative forms on the west side of the lake, between 
Oshkosh and Fond du Lac, which we did not visit, nor could we obtain very definite 
information in regard to them. 

Just before the Neenali enters Lake Winnebago, it expands into a broad sheet 
of water called the Great Butte des Morts lake. Near the head of this lake is 
the mound from which its name is derived, on the north or left bank of the river. 
This is the site of the conflict between the Chippewas and French against the Sauk 
and Fox bands ; 2 but I can find no authority for the popular belief that the tumulus 
was raised at that time as a covering for the bodies of the slain. 

Near this Butte the Wolf branch of the Neenali enters, being properly the 
main stream. Col. Charles Whittlesey, of the United States Geological Corps, 
explored this stream, and he informs me that he found no remains of ancient 
works on its banks. 

At the Falls of the Waupacca (a tributary of the Wolf) mounds are said to exist, 
and also at some other localities in the vicinity. 

Near a small stream, called Eight-mile creek, in the town of Utica, on the land 
of Mr. E. B. Fiske (northwest quarter of section fourteen, township seventeen, 
range fifteen), is a mound called the Spread Eagle (see Plate XLI, No. 3). It 
is of small dimensions, the whole length being only forty-six feet. 

There are two oblong embankments in the vicinity; and the house is built upon 
another called the Alligator, but its form could not be distinctly traced at the 
time of our visit. 

There is a group of conical tumuli, forming an irregular row, half a mile below 
Ceresco (section seventeen, township sixteen, range fourteen), and others of a similar 
character formerly existed at and near the village. 

At several points along the Neenah, between the Portage at Fort Winnebago 
and the Butte des Morts, are localities of mounds. 

Mr. R. C. Taylor informs us that “on the shores of Buffalo and Apuchwa lakes, 
wherever the land is dry and sufficiently elevated, one may observe, even from the 


1 Silliman’s Journal, XXXIY, 95. 

- Pike’s Expedition, Appendix to Tart I, p. 45. 



64 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


water, a vast number of tumuli. Upon the summit of some of these may, from 
time to time, be recognized the modern grave of some Winnebago or Menomonee 
chief, strongly protected by pickets. The margins of the Neenah river are 
remarkable for numerous Indian remains of this description. Colonel Petitval, of 
the United States Topographical Department, who was engaged during the summer 
of 1837 in a survey of this river, had the kindness, at my request, to give some 
attention to these mounds. He describes an immense assemblage of them at a 
point on the river called the Red Bank, extending far into the interior, both north 
and south, for an undetermined distance. Twelve of them at this place were opened 
under his direction, and among them was an animal mound one hundred and fifty 
feet long. All contained human bones in a very decomposed state.” 1 

The mounds examined by me along the Apuchwa and Buffalo lakes, were entirely 
of the conical form, or burial-mounds. They were observed at the villages of 
Marquette, Montello, Roxo, and Packwaukee; the same places that formerly were 
the seats of aboriginal population being now selected as the sites of embryo towns 
and villages by men of a different race. 

There is a fine group on section twelve, township fourteen, range ten, occupying 
prairie ground near a branch of Grand river. Further up this river (on section 
eleven, township fourteen, range eleven) is a collection of about one hundred 
mounds, mostly of the same form. Only one was sufficiently perfect to admit of 
being surveyed and delineated. It is called the “ Man,” and is remarkable for the 
unequal length of the arms. (Fig. 26.) It had been opened before our visit. The 


Fig. 26. 



The Man, near Mt. Moriah. 


head points to the south, and towards a high hill called Mount Moriah. The soil is 
sandy, and the mounds do not, therefore, preserve their original shape as distinctly as 
in other localities. The round mounds are worn down and spread out, so as to form 


1 Silliman’s Journal, XXXIY, 95. 



ANCIENT WORKS NEAR FOX RIVER 


65 


a very flat cone. In one was found the skeleton of a man, with fragments of 
pottery, &c. 

There are also a few mounds near Lake Maria, at the source of Grand river 
(sections twenty-five and thirty-six, township fourteen, range twelve). 

The Neenah river is in some places bordered by a high sandy bank, frequently 
higher near the water than further back. Along the margin of this bank, small 
indistinct mounds are of frequent occurrence, placed as if intended to guard or watch 
the passage of the river. They are often of a subtriangular form, the shortest side 
and highest point being towards the river. They are unusually small, and have 
but little elevation. 

At a place known as Moundville, are some structures quite perfect in their 
shape and outline. They are in the oak-openings, on the west side of the river, 
in township fourteen, range nine; and consist of several raccoons and bears, with 
oblong and round mounds, and one animal form (Fig. 27), whose genus and species 
could not well be made out. 


Fig. 27. 




*^%uiiiiiimiiiiiiiuiammuuuvi'.\uuiiiiiiuiij!ii|||j|,|| l)a||| 






mmmimiim 

wummm 



%IW\# 


At Moundville. Forty feet to an inch. 


\ 


9 


CHAPTER V. 

ANCIENT WORKS IN THE BASIN OP THE WISCONSIN RIYER. 

The Wisconsin river is the largest stream within the State, having its source 
on the boundary line between Wisconsin and Michigan, in a small sheet of water 
known as “ Lac Vieux Desert,” and running into the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien. 
Its general course is nearly south as far as the Winnebago portage, where it almost 
unites with the Neenah. At this point it is suddenly deflected towards the south¬ 
west and west. Its length cannot be less than four hundred miles, and it has an 
aggregate descent of about nine hundred feet, or two and a quarter feet per mile. 
It drains an area of about eleven hundred square miles. 

The valley of this fine stream, from the Winnebago Portage to its junction with 
the Mississippi, may be deemed the great central seat of population at the time of 
the erection of the animal-shaped earthworks; at least we must so infer from their 
comparative abundance and importance along that valley. 

The first published notice of the mounds in the valley of the Wisconsin, is in 
the narrative of Long’s Second Expedition, in 1823. It is there stated that “ one 
of the block-houses of the fort (at Prairie du Chien) is situated on a large mound, 
which appears to be artificial. It was excavated; but we have not heard that any 
bones or other remains were found in it.” 

Mr. Alfred Bronson, in a paper on the ancient mounds of Crawford county, 
Wisconsin, read before the State Historical Society, remarks that another similar 
one formerly existed on the prairie, now removed; but no evidences of the design 
of their erection were found—nothing was observed but bones, rifles, &c., of recent 
interment. 

“ One mound, standing in a group at the southwest angle of this prairie, has a 
base of some fifty feet, and is about ten feet high, on an eminence of about the 
same elevation. From its top can be seen to advantage the extensive low bottom¬ 
lands which lie between the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers; and were it not for 
the timber on the margin of the two rivers, their flowing currents 'could also be 
seen for some distance. This circumstance induces the belief that it was built for 
a kind of watch-tower, or look-out place, to watch the approach of enemies.” 

Traces of mounds were discovered by me (in 1852) along the-whole extent of the 
prairie, apparently similar to others found in the vicinity; but from cultivation, 
and the light sandy nature of the materials, they are now almost entirely oblite¬ 
rated. The large round tumuli, situated along the island between the “ slough” 
and the main channel of the Mississippi, are so near the level of the river that 
their bases are often washed by the floods. In 1826, at the highest known floods, 


ANCIENT WORKS NEAR WISCONSIN RIVER. 


67 


(it being eight feet higher than the high water of 1832, and about twenty-six feet 
above the lowest stage,) the mounds were all that could be seen of this island 
above the water. These were doubtless for burial, and of less age than the more 
elaborate works in the interior of the country. 

Below the town and fort, towards the mouth of the Wisconsin, are similar tumuli, 
equally subject to overflow; and on the high bluffs south of that river are some 
look-out stations or mounds. 

Advantage is taken of these elevations for the foundations of the better class of 
dwelling-houses, above the reach of high water; being, perhaps, the only instance 
in which the ancient works are rendered useful to the present inhabitants. In 
general it is deemed necessary to remove them as incumbrances, rather than to 
preserve them as matters of convenience. 

Some traces of a ditch and embankment observed on the island, evidently of a 
military character, proved, on inquiry, to be the remains of the original American 
fort, that was taken by the British in the war of 1812. 

It is quite clear that this interesting place has been a favorite one with all the 
different tribes or races of inhabitants, from the days of the first mound-builders to 
the present time; and the construction of a railroad (soon to be completed) con¬ 
necting this point with Lake Michigan at Milwaukee, will doubtless render it one 
of the greatest importance. 

Proceeding up the Wisconsin, the first locality requiring notice is called by the 
French -the Petit Cap cm Gres ; which was visited by Messrs. Keating, Say, and 
Seymour, of Long’s exploring party, and of which the following account is given: 
“They found the bluff which borders on the Wisconsin, about four miles above its 
mouth, covered with mounds, parapets, &c.; but no plan or system could be 
observed among them, neither could they trace any such thing as a regular inclo¬ 
sure. Among these works, they saw an embankment about eighty-five yards long, 
divided towards its middle by a sort of gateway about four yards wide. This 
parapet was elevated from three to four feet; it stood very near to the edge of the 
bluff, as did also almost all the other embankments which they saw. No con¬ 
nection whatever was observed between the parapets and the mounds, except in 
one case, where a parapet was cut off by a sort of gateway, and a mound placed in 
front of it. In one instance the works, or parapet, seemed to form a cross, of which 
three parts could be distinctly traced;. but these were short: this was upon a pro¬ 
jecting point of the highland. The mounds which the party observed, were 
scattered without any apparent symmetry over the whole of the ridge of highland 
which borders upon the river. They were very numerous, and generally from six 
to eight feet high, and from eight to twelve in diameter. In one case a number of 
them, amounting perhaps to twelve or fifteen, were seen all arranged in one line, 
parallel to the edge of the bluff', but at some distance from it.” 

The very numerous and highly interesting remains found on the banks of the 
Wisconsin at Muscoda, and in its vicinity, are very fully described and delineated 
by Mr. Stephen Taylor, to whose paper in Silliman’s Journal (XLIV, 22), and in 
the abstract of it in the Smithsonian Contributions (I, 128-133, Plates xlii, xliii, 
xliv), the reader is referred. Not having visited this locality, I have nothing to 
add to the ample details given by Mr. Taylor. 


68 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


My investigations in the vicinity of the Wisconsin embraced Prairie du Chien, 
and extended about thirty miles on the north side of the river, commencing at 
Helena, the site of the oft described Shot-Tower. Two miles above this place (on 
section eight, township eight, range four, E) are some mounds; but the first of 
much note as we ascend the river, along the road on the north side, are those on 
section four of the same town (see Plate XLII, No. 1), consisting of a series of 
oblong and conical tumuli, with one apparently leading the flight, in the form of a 
bird with outspread wings. These are composed of sand; and in some cases, where 
the road has been removed or destroyed, the wind in dry weather is fast reducing 
them to a level. The bird, of which an enlarged plan is given on the plate (Plate 
XLII, No. 2), is of the same material; and we found it very difficult to trace 
the exact original outline, from this cause. It may be regarded as representing a 
barbed spear-head or arrow-point. Were we to confine our attention to one or 
two of the oblong mounds on the edge of the bank, we might be led to regard them 
as breastworks, or parapets, for defence, and perhaps to command the channel of 
the river; but an inspection of the whole group shows clearly that no such purpose 
could have been intended. 

They occupy a sandy plain, bounded by the channel of the river, or bayou, on 
one side, and by the bluffs on the other. The ground is covered with scattered 
trees, and an undergrowth of grass and weeds; but few shrubs being present. 

About a mile and a half beyond, on the side of the road, is the human figure 
with its gigantic arms, having a stretch or extension of two hundred and eighty- 
eight feet (see Plate XLII, No. 3); so great, indeed, that the size of the plate 
adopted requires the omission of part of one of them. They are both of the same 
length. The body is fifty-four feet long, if we include the head and neck. 

This figure stands by itself, in a valley or pass between two of the high sand¬ 
stone bluffs, one of which rises immediately above the head. A small brook, a 
tributary of the Wisconsin, runs a little to the east and south. 

From the site of this remarkable and lonely structure, the road leaves the imme¬ 
diate valley of the Wisconsin, and, passing a “ divide,” descends into the valley of 
the stream called Honey creek. Towards the mouth of this creek are numerous 
works of great interest; the first, near the residence of Mr. Mosely, being represented 
on Plate XLIII. Unluckily the breaking-up team had, only the week previous to 
our visit, turned over the natural sod upon most of these works; the four figures 
at the southwestern part of the group only remaining uninjured. Here we found 
a number of forms quite different from any heretofore described. One is apparently 
intended to represent the human shape, though very deficient in the proportional 
length of the arms and legs. (See Plate XLII, No. 4.) 

Another, and larger mound, of similar general form,‘stands adjacent; and it can 
hardly be supposed that the object of the one was very different from that of the 
other. Perhaps they are designed to represent a male and female. 

These earthworks are four feet high at the intersection of the arms, where they 
are highest. The arms are in a straight line, at right angles with the body. The 
resemblance of the latter figure, however, to some supposed to be intended to repre¬ 
sent birds, shows that there is a gradual transition from one form to another among 
mounds of this kind as well as others. 


ANCIENT WORKS NEAR WISCONSIN RIVER. 


69 


The two figures adjoining these, are presumed to represent the buffalo or bison 
{Bus arnericana). One of them was carefully measured, and the result is shown in 
the enlarged figure (Plate XLV, No. 1). The general contour, especially the hump 
over the shoulders, renders the suggestion probable. The forms are almost exactly 
alike, though one is slightly larger than the other. They also may be intended for 
the two sexes. It will be observed that the attitude is quite spirited and natural; 
probably representing the animals in the act of browsing or drinking. 

The two quadrupeds north of the road, were too much injured by the plough to 
enable us to make them out satisfactorily; but they did not appear to present any 
new features. The long ridges (nearly a thousand feet in length) are a peculiar 
circumstance in this group; yet they seem to be located without design. The one 
with an irregular cross ridge near the top may be thought to represent a bow and 
arrow; or it is a cross with curved arms. 

These works occupy a gentle slope, extending from the base of the high bluffs 
towards the marshy and springy grounds at the south. Beyond the marsh another 
bluff rises abruptly. The space between the bluffs only is used for agricultural 
purposes; and, if in possession of a warlike people, we might fancy these long ridges 
constructed to defend the passage leading between the bluffs, from the valley of the 
river below, to the interior or back country. This may have been the object of the 
most easterly and longest ridge or parapet; but of what use, according to this theory, 
were the other similar ridges, which could not have been intended for defence ? 

It is much to be hoped that the proprietor of the two buffalo effigies will not 
allow them to be wantonly destroyed. They escaped the first efforts of the plough; 
it will be fortunate if they always secure the same exemption. 

As it is frequently important to know the relative situation of various groups of 
works, in order to determine their dependence, if there be any, one upon another, I 
have given a map (Plate XLIV, No. 1), showing the position of this group in respect 
to two others next to be noticed. Half a mile south of the space covered by this map 
is the Wisconsin river. The bluffs here leave the river, and extend along the west 
side of Otter creek; the broad plain known as Prairie du Sac, or Sauk Prairie, 
lying between them and the river. It will be observed that the group just described 
occupies one of the passes by which the road ascends the bluffs. 

The works near the centre of section seven (Plate XLIV, No. 1), are on the 
margin of the marsh which borders the creek. Here are several oblong mounds, 
one of the bird form, and two anomalous images, of which drawings are given 
(Plate XLV, Nos. 2 and 3). Though they are evidently animal forms, it would 
be difficult for the most practised zoologist to determine the genera and species 
to which they should be referred. These are on ground gently sloping from the 
bluffs in the rear to the edge of the marsh, where there is a bank of no very great 
elevation. 

On the east side of the creek, at the middle, commences a series of earthworks of 
a very interesting character, as shown on Plate XLIV, No. 2. The principal 
figure, in the form of a bird with a forked tail, is also represented enlarged on Plate 
XLV 1, No. 3. 

The bear is enlarged, and shown with its true proportions, on Plate XL\, No. 4. 


70 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


It can hardly admit of a doubt that this animal is intended, if we judge from the 
general form of the image. 

One of these figures had apparently been cut in two by some cause since it was 
completed. Several excavations made in building the dam have injured or destroyed 
some of these works. We noticed here that the reddish earth excavated from the 
pits very soon lost its redness on exposure to the air, and assumed the light color 
of the earth found in the animal mounds. This will explain the difference in hue 
without resorting to the improbable suggestion that the soil has been brought from 
a distance. The birds and bear are on the margin of the beautiful level plain, here 
mostly covered with trees; a part of the great plain or prairie before alluded to. 

It is to be observed, that the difference between the mounds evidently birds (Plate 
XLYI, No. 3) and those resembling the human form (Plate XLII, Nos. 3 and 4), 
is but slight; so that, strange as it may appear, it is sometimes not easy to decide 
which was meant by the ancient artist. 

The prairie along the river, above Honey creek, gives evidence of recent Indian 
occupancy in the numerous irregular corn-hills, such as are now made by them. 
In 1766, 1 and probably for a long time afterwards, it was the site of a village of the 
united Sauk and Fox tribes—hence, the name of the prairie. But few remains of 
the labors of the “ ancient people,” however, were observed on this plain, until we 
approached its upper margin. Here we found, near the residence of Mr. Charles 
Durr, several parallel ridges, and a few imitative forms. One of these, with the 
anterior foot remarkably enlarged, is represented on Plate XLYI, No. 1. These 
works are near the line between sections seven and eight, township ten, range 
seven east. 

We here found a number of ridges with an angular deflection near the smaller 
extremity. (See Plate XLYI, No. 2.) They have about the usual height of oblong 
parapets and ridges, from two to four feet, and vary in length from two hundred 
to several hundred feet. They differ from the crooked ridge (Plate XLIII), on 
Honey creek, in having the deflected portion straight. 

We noticed here a mound with a horn, apparently intended to represent the elk 
or deer; which, as night overtook us, we did not survey. 

A short distance above commences a series of works surveyed by Mr. William 
II. Canfield, of Baraboo. and represented on Plate XLYI, No. 4, and on Plates 
XLVII and XLYIII. They are located on the slope extending from the bluffs to 
the river, here about two miles apart. The ground is not level or even, but gently 
rolling, and the principal mounds are handsomely situated on the knolls. The 
little brook on Plate XLYII is usually dry, and runs in a valley but slightly 
depressed below the general surface. Towards its source the ground is more level 
and a little marshy. The bed of the stream is a little gravelly. 

The sharp-pointed ridges, some straight, and others with an angle near the extre¬ 
mity, and the animal with several humps on its back, are peculiar features in this 
group. 

The works represented on Plate XLYIII are about a mile north of the last, and 


1 Carver’s Travels (Harper’s N. Y. Ed., J838), p. 49. 





ANCIENT WORKS NEAR WISCONSIN RIVER. 


71 


about midway between the bluffs and the river. The pond contains pure water, 
and now supplies the inhabitants of a very different race with this indispensable 
element. 

About two miles further up the river (on section three, township ten, range seven 
east), is another group, of which only one figure was surveyed by Mr. Canfield 
(Plate XLVI, No. 4). The form of the head and wings leaves no doubt that the 
object intended was a bird. 

As this bird is represented in the act of flying, the remark of Mr. Canfield that 
it may be a messenger-bird carrying something, indicated by the little mound placed 
below' the wing, as if suspended from its beak, seems quite probable. This mound 
is small (seven feet in diameter), a very true circle at the base, and now less than 
a foot in height. Perhaps the purpose is to represent the bird as bearing to the 
spirit-land some person whose remains were deposited in the mound. 

Mr. Canfield writes that “ the valley of the Wisconsin river above Prairie du 
Sac, for three or four miles, is completely filled with these works. It is here 
two miles wdde, timbered mostly with black and burr oak, generally of a light sandy 
soil, and quite undulating, in some places hilly. There are no mounds on the 
prairie.” 

There are scattered tumuli of various forms in and about the village of Baraboo, 
on the river of the same name. 

A little east of that remarkable gorge in the sandstone, known as “ the Dells of 
the Wisconsin river,” is a small inclosure (Fig. 28), of double walls, which may 

Fig. 28. 





Ancient inelosure, Dells of Wisconsin river. 


have been surmounted by palisades, and have formed a sort of fort or stronghold. 
The breadth occupied by the two embankments is eighteen feet, and the area of the 
inclosure is about 45,000 square feet, affording room for about 2,000 persons. 




72 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


There are also some other slight works in this vicinity, mostly oblong mounds, 
called breastworks by gentlemen of military associations; and there are extensive 
tracts of ground worked into garden-beds, or low flat ridges, as before described. 

There are also some mounds at the foot of the Big Dells, six miles further up 
the river. 

Following up the valley of the Lemonwier river, a branch of the Wisconsin 
from the west, the first group of works observed was near One Mile creek 
(section twenty, township fifteen, range four,, delineated on Plate XLIX). There 
are six embankments of different lengths, three bird-shaped mounds with large 
bodies, and two small oval tumuli, all arranged on or between two sandy ridges that 
very much resemble ancient lake beaches. The works are arranged in a direction 
parallel to these two ridges; and the wings of two of the birds extend entirely 
across the low ground between them. On both sides of the ridges the ground 
descends into low marshy places of considerable extent. 

The two oblong embankments situated upon the sand ridge might be supposed 
to be works of defence, or breastworks; but as they are of precisely the same 
character as the others whose position between the ridges precludes such an infer¬ 
ence, we must, as in other cases, conclude that they were constructed for a different 
purpose. The ground is here occupied by the oak-openings, or a scattered growth 
of trees. The marshes on each side may formerly have been ponds, now filled by 
the accumulation for ages of vegetable matter. 

At Mors creek (section seven, township fifteen, range four, east), there is a series 
of mounds, as delineated on Plate L. They extend along the river at intervals for 
two miles. The group near the mill (Plate L, No. 1), is much injured by a 
removal of the earth to form the dam across the Lemonwier river. It consists, 
as will be seen, of bird-shaped and oblong earthworks. No. 2 of the same plate is 
an enlarged plan of the two most perfect of these images. Upon excavating one of 
them, the remains of a human skeleton were found, which had been deposited in 
the head of the figure. These mounds are here supposed to represent men. They 
are upon a gentle slope or nearly level space between the river and the foot of a 
ridge, or second bank, which is but slightly elevated above the water of the river. 
Several round tumuli are found on the ridge a few rods further west. 

On Plate L, No. 3, is represented a very long-armed figure, situated near Two 
Mile creek (about two miles above Moss’s Mill), where are others quite similar to 
those exhibited on the same plate, No. 2. These long arms extend quite across 
from the abrupt bank of the river to some marshy grounds. 

In the same neighborhood is said to be a small circular inclosure (southwest 
quarter of section twenty-one, township sixteen, range three), and also (on the north¬ 
west quarter of section twelve, township fifteen, range three) a series of garden- 
beds. 

Leaving the main Lemonwier river, we passed between two isolated sandstone 
cliffs, known as the Little Bluffs (section twelve, township sixteen, range two, 
east), and observed two oblong embankments, or breastworks; but they did not 
appear to be arranged with anv purpose of defending the narrow pass between the 
bluffs. 


ANCIENT WORKS NEAR WISCONSIN RIVER 


73 


On section nine, township sixteen, range two, east, we found an oblong embank¬ 
ment; and also one called a man, with the legs expanded, but having no contraction 
for the neck. (See Plate L, No. 4.) 

Several earthworks (one of the man shape) are found on section five, township 
sixteen, range two, east; and a row of five oblong elevations, wdth but slight intervals, 
occupy a swell in the prairie on section four, township sixteen, range one, east. 

Above these we discovered no more mounds on the Little Lemonwier. The 
country becomes more hilly; the valley is narrow, and the stream small; affording 
no suitable position for an aboriginal population. 

Above the mouth of the Lemonwier, on the Wisconsin, I have no information 
of ancient works, except a few mounds at Du Bays, at Plover Portage, and an 
inclosure recently discovered and described to me by Mr. Erskine Stanbury. It 
is spoken of as “a fort” in township twenty-one, and 
range seven, east, on the line between sections nineteen 
and twenty, seven hundred and thirty chains from the 
south corner of those sections. It is on the bold bluff 
bank of what we call Iron creek. It consists of an oblong 
or parallelogram, its longer axis with the direction of the 
stream. The walls are about the usual height, with a 
regular ditch or fosse all round them; and in the ditch and fort, trees from six to 
ten inches in diameter are now growing. From each corner a straight mound is 
thrown up, running off to some distance, as in the figure. The ground was covered 
with snow, or we would have taken a survey and measurement. 


Fio 29. 








Fort at Iron creek. 


ANCIENT WORKS AT LAKE YIEUX DESERT. 

In the second volume of the History of the Indian Tribes (p. 91, Plate lii), just 
published by authority of Congress, is a plate representing the ancient works situ¬ 
ated on one of the three islands in Lake Yieux Desert, the head of the Wisconsin 
river, accompanied by the following brief notice: 

“The remote position of Lake Yieux Desert, its giving rise to the Wisconsin river, 
and its having a large island in its centre which fits it for the cultivation practised 
by the Indians, appear to have early pointed it out as a retreat and stronghold of 
the interior Indians. No enemy could approach it except by water, and its natural 
capacities for defence were strengthened by an elliptical embankment in its centre, 
which appears to have served as the basis of pickets. There were small mounds or 
barrows within the inclosure, together with some cross embankments, and two large 
excavations without the embankment, all which are shown in the plate. It appears 
to have been the most northwesterly point fortified, east of the Mississippi river. 
The boundary which separates Wisconsin from Michigan cuts the island into nearly 
equal parts.” 

It is not stated when or by whom these works were surveyed. The general 
parallelism of the embankments with the shore of the island, and the occurrence 
of large pebbles in their materials, lead to the suspicion that they may be natural 
ridges, caused by the expansive force of ice. Such ridges are quite numerous along 
the banks of the smaller lakes in this climate. 

10 







CHAPTER VI. 


ANCIENT WORKS AND ANCIENT MINING, AT LAKE SUPERIOR 
AND MISCELLANEOUS LOCALITIES. 


In the geological report of Messrs. Foster and "Whitney, made to Congress in 
1850, we have some details of discoveries of traces of ancient mining in the copper 
district south of Lake Superior, and also on Isle Royale. They “ consist of nume¬ 
rous excavations in the solid rock; heaps of rubble and earth along the courses of 
the veins; the remains of copper utensils, fashioned into the form of knives and 
chisels; stone hammers, some of which are of immense size and weight; wooden 
bowls for bailing water from the mines; and numerous levers of wood used in rais¬ 
ing the masses of copper to the surface.” 

Traces of mounds, constructed in the form of mathematical figures, were observed. 
One on the northeast quarter of section sixteen, township fifty, range thirty-nine, 
near a small stream, is about ten feet high, in the form of a square, flat on the top, 
the sides of which are fifteen feet in length. The slopes are regular from the top 
to the base. 

From this description, and the drawing accompanying it (Fig. 30), this tumulus 
appears to be a regular pyramidal structure, like those within the walls of Aztalan, 
the temple-mounds so often found in the Southern States, and the teocalli of Mexico. 
We might draw the conclusion that people having the same form of worship were 
spread over this whole extent of country, and that those who had gone to the 
remote regions of Lake Superior had so much respect for their religion as to erect 
a small altar or temple-mound, to answer their temporary purposes while engaged 
in the duty of supplying the nation with copper. 

The stone hammers (Fig. 31), observed in great abundance about these mines, 


Fig. 30. 


Temple Mound. L. Superior. 


Fig. 31. 



Stone Hammer of Ancient Miners. 


Fig. 32. 


Stone Axe, L. Superior. 




show that the process of cutting the masses of native copper was practised then as 
it is now, only with tools of different materials. These seem to have been manu- 



ANCIENT WORKS AT LAKE SUPERIOR. 


75 


factured on the ground, and differ from the articles of stone obtained from the 
mounds further south. 

Among them, however, are stone axes (Fig. 32), quite similar (if we may judge 
from the delineation of Messrs. Foster and Whitney) to those common to the whole 
country; and they form another connecting link between the mound-builders and 
the ancient workers of the Lake Superior copper mines. 

Dr. C. T. Jackson attributes these operations to the Chippewas; implying that 
the ancestors of the present race of Indians made the excavations, stone hammers, 
axes, &c. 

If we assume the age of the tree found growing upon the rubbish thrown out of 
an ancient mine (three hundred and ninety-five years) as indicative of the epoch, 
or near it, when the mines were worked, it is only about double the time that the 
Chippewas have been known to occupy this region. The discovery of wooden 
levers and wooden bowls, forbid us to assign a much greater antiquity to these 
works. If these Indians have remained unchanged in their general habits for a 
period of two hundred years, it requires no aid from the imagination to suppose 
that they had then occupied the same country for one or more terms of equal dura¬ 
tion ; and there is, therefore, nothing improbable in the supposition that Wisconsin 
was occupied by the present race of Indians (if not of the same nations or tribes), 
five or eight hundred years ago. 

The existence of wood buried in mounds at Aztalan, and other places, not entirely 
decayed, and the condition of the bones and other articles accompanying it, show 
conclusively that they could not have been deposited for a much longer period 
than that mentioned. 

When the country about Lake Superior was first visited by French missionaries, 
about the middle of the seventeenth century, or two hundred years ago, copper was 
used by the Chippewas. 

Allouer writes (in 1666), “It frequently happens that pieces of copper are found 
weighing from ten to twenty pounds. I have seen several such pieces in the hands 
of savages; and since they are superstitious, they esteem them as divinities, or as 
presents given to them to promote their happiness by the gods who dwell beneath 
the water. For this reason they preserve these pieces of copper wrapped up with 
their most precious articles. In some families they have been kept for more than 
fifty years; in others they have descended from time out of mind, being cherished 
as domestic gods.” 1 

Father Dublon (1669-70) says, in relation to the copper, that the Indians were 
shy of disclosing their knowledge of it, “so that we were obliged to use some 
artifice.” 2 

If, then, these fragments of copper were held so sacred as to be kept and handed 
down as household gods, we may certainly allow some lapse of time for such 
superstitions to originate and become incorporated into the religious system of the 


1 Quoted by Foster and Whitney, page 7. 

2 Same, p. 10. 



16 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


Chippewas; and a comparatively slight draft upon the past, anterior to that period, 
will carry them back to the age of the ancient mining and mound-building. 

Upon a general consideration of these investigations, we are led to the inference 
that the men who built the earthworks of Wisconsin, and those who first opened 
the Lake Superior copper mines, were one and the same people, and that they were 
none other than the ancestors of the present race of Indians. Differences there 
may have been, as we now see in tribes residing within a few hundred miles of 
each other; but these differences were perhaps no greater at that remote period 
than at present. 

But to account for the presence of copper among the mound-builders, we need 
not resort to Lake Superior. Fragments of this metal in its pure or native condi¬ 
tion, are very often found associated with the “ drift,” which has doubtless been 
transported from the same region of country. Such fragments are frequently washed 
from the banks by rains, or by the action of the waves on the margin of the lakes. 
Since the settlement of the country they have often been turned up by the plough. 
They vary in size from the smallest fragment to twenty pounds or more in weight; 
and from this source probably all the copper used by the natives, other than that 
from mines, was derived. The chemical tests applied would not, of course, decide 
this question. 

With regard to the ancient mines at Lake Superior, it might be questioned 
whether the old French missionaries and traders did not succeed in extorting from 
the Indians, by artifice, the secret of their locality, and then make abortive attempts 
to remove some of the large masses there found. In the report of Messrs. Foster 
and Whitney, before referred to, it is stated that Mr. Samuel 0. Knapp (who first 
laid before the public an account of the nature and extent of the primitive min¬ 
ing) discovered “a mass of native copper ten feet long, three feet wide, and nearly 
two feet thick, and weighing over six tons. On digging around it, the mass was 
found to rest on billets of oak, supported by sleepers of the same material. This 
wood, by its long exposure to moisture, is dark colored, and has lost all its consist¬ 
ency. A knife-blade may be thrust into it as easily as into a peat bog. The earth 
was so packed around the copper as to give it a firm support. The ancient miners 
had evidently raised it about five feet, and then abandoned the work as too labo¬ 
rious. They had taken off every projecting point which was accessible, so that 
the exposed surface was smooth.” 

Again, “ in cleaning out one of these pits, at the depth of ten feet, the workmen 
came across a fragment of a wooden bowl, which, from the splintery pieces of rock 
and gravel imbedded in its rim, must have been employed in bailing water.” 

Now, unless there is some mistake as to these facts, we are not disposed to 
attribute this work to the aboriginal inhabitants. The sleepers, levers, wooden 
bowls, &c., are rather indicative of Caucasian ingenuity and art. Nor do the copper 
knives of Lake Superior have the appearance of great antiquity. Their form indi¬ 
cates quite plainly the knife of the white man; although the method of attaching 
the handle by turning up the edges, may be of aboriginal origin. See Fig. 33, which 
is a half-size drawing of a copper knife from Lake Superior, presented to me by Mr. 


ANCIENT WORKS AT LAKE SUPERIOR. 77 

O. Vandyke. Arrow-points were attached in the same way (see Fig. 34), as shown 
by one found at Menasha, on Lake Winnebago, and received from Mr. Curtis Reed. 

Fia. 33. 



In the immediate valley of the Mississippi the animal forms do not appear to be 
as numerous as on the Wisconsin and in some other localities. So far as I can learn, 
they extend down only as far as Apple river, in Illinois, a few miles south of the 
State line of Wisconsin. 


Fig. 34. 




Indian Arrow-head, of copper. Natural size. 


There are occasional localities south of the Wisconsin river, where traces of 
ancient works can be seen; but the immediate bank of the Mississippi is so broken 
that it could not be explored without much labor and difficulty. 

The works at Prairie du Chien, heretofore described (page 66), are the most 
extensive of any on the river; but these are too much injured to exhibit with dis¬ 
tinctness their original forms. 

Along the great dividing ridge between the Mississippi and the Kickapoo rivers, 
there are mounds in great numbers. Their general character is the same as that of 
those near the residence of Mr. Miller (Plate LI), and they may, without much effort 
of imagination, be classed among the birds and buffaloes, accompanied by oblong 
and circular mounds. This ridge may be aptly compared to the back-bone of some 
gigantic animal, the numerous lateral spurs, extending towards the Mississippi or 
the Kickapoo, representing the ribs. 

The animal effigies along the ridge are usually headed towards the south or 
southeast. The elevation is from four hundred to seven hundred feet above the 
adjoining rivers. The arrangement of the strata of rock (as exhibited in the section, 
Plate LI) is such as to cause numerous springs to gush out on either side, not far 
below the summit; and that circumstance may have led to the occupancy of the 
ridge by so large a population, as is indicated by their works still remaining. It is 
now inducing settlements in the same locality by a different race of men; the prime 
necessities of man being alike under all circumstances. 














78 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


Isolated tumuli exist near the waters of the Mississippi along this part of its 
course; and at the place where the road turns off towards Springville, at Bartlett’s 
Landing, is a very considerable assemblage, mostly of circular and oblong mounds, 
occupying the summit and sides of a narrow ridge. (Plate LII.) The river is here 
divided into several distinct channels, called “sloughs.” 

At La Crosse there is a prairie between the river and the bluffs, which has always 
been a favorite place of resort for the Indian. The conical tumuli forming a row 
parallel with the river, manifest also the residence of the mound-builders. The 
materials of these works being sand, they are now much reduced, and can be dis¬ 
covered only upon close inspection. I could find none that appeared to have had 
any animal or other imitative forms. 

On the immediate brink of the river are excavations bordered by embankments. 
Some are circular, and resemble the remains of the Indian caches; while others are 
of a different form, as represented in Fig. 35. Several were observed in the shape 

Fia. 35. 


Mississippi river. 



Ancient Works on the bank of the Mississippi, at La Crosse. Forty feet to an inch. 


of a crescent, the excavation gradually deepening from the horns towards the centre. 
All have the elevated ridge on the side furthest from the river; so that if these 
works were intended for defence, it was against an enemy from the land. They are 
of no great extent; many of them would not protect more than two or three persons. 

Perhaps it was to excavations of this kind that Lieutenant Pike alludes in his 
journal (page 19), where he says: “The Sioux have a mode of defence or secre¬ 
tion by digging holes in the prairie, and throwing up a bank around it, into which 
they put their women and children, and then crawl in themselves.” The soft sandy 
nature of the ground here would easily admit of the employment of that kind of 
protection. 

On the eastern border of this prairie are some very high bluffs, presenting towards 
the top perpendicular cliffs of limestone. On one of these, known as Gale’s Bluff, 
we found a large crevice or cave, in which, among some loose stones and sand, were 
several human bones; and a skull has been taken from the same place. No bones 
of animals could be found. The rock above the cave is perpendicular for a great 
height. 













































ANCIENT WORKS AT LAKE SUPERIOR. 


79 


On the south side of the entrance arc some markings (Fig. 3d), doubtless of 
aboriginal origin, and possibly intended to record the virtues of the person or per- 





Fig. 36. 



Indian Hieroglyphics, Gale’s Bluff, near La Crosse. 



sons whose remains are there deposited. The marks are on a soft, yellow, granular 
limestone; often mistaken by casual observers for sandstone. They are not deeply 
impressed, and have evidently been affected by the crumbling of the surface. 

Only an occasional mound was observed along the valley of La Crosse river; 
and it is believed that no works of any considerable extent exist above this point 
on the Mississippi. 


CHAPTER VII. 


CONTENTS OF THE MOUNDS; REMAINS OF ANCIENT 

WORKMANSHIP. 

We have already stated, in their proper connection, the results of the examina¬ 
tions of the mounds at various places; but some general facts remain to be men¬ 
tioned. 

It is important to determine with certainty whether the relics found buried are 
the work of the original mound-builders, and placed there at the time of the erec¬ 
tion of the mounds, or have been deposited subsequently. This can usually be 
done with a reasonable degree of certainty by one accustomed to such investigations. 

So far as I have had opportunity to observe, there are no original remains in the 
mounds of imitative form, beyond a few scattered fragments that may have gained 
a place there by accident. Many of the mounds have been entirely removed, 
including the earth beneath for a considerable depth, in the process of grading 
streets in Milwaukee; and it is usually found that the natural surface had not been 
disturbed at the time of the erection, but that the several layers or strata of mould, 
clay, gravel, &c., are continuous below the structure as on the contiguous grounds. 

Great numbers of the smaller conical tumuli are also destitute of any remains; 
and if human bodies were ever buried under them, they are now so entirely 
“ returned to dust” that no apparent traces of them are left. If we assume that each 
mound was a place of burial, we must infer from the absence of utensils that the 
common practice of depositing with the dead the implements to be used in the other 


Fig. 37. 



Fig. 38. 



One-quarter size. 


world, is of comparatively recent origin ; since some of these, at least, would have 
resisted decay. The middle-sized conical mounds, and those of larger dimen- 





REMAINS OF ANCIENT WORKMANSHIP. 


81 


sion, almost always contain evidence of the deposit of one or more human bodies. 
These are always very much decayed; only one skull having been found sufficiently 
entire to enable Dr. Hoy, with much skill and labor, to restore it sufficiently to make 
out its general characteristics. A fortunate combination of circumstances had caused 
this preservation. The skull and some other bones were enveloped in a peculiar 
kind of clay, which seems to have possessed a preservative quality beyond that of 
ordinary earth, of which most of the accumulation was composed; and on the very 
top of the mound was a large tree, which had shed off the rains for several centuries. 
Many peculiarities of this cranium are pointed out by Dr. Hoy. (Chapter I, page 9.) 

On Plate LIII, there is a drawing of the natural size; and figures 37 and 38 
represent the top and back views of the same skull reduced to one quarter of the 


natural size. 

The following are its dimensions: 

Inches. 

Longitudinal diameter . . . . . . .6.8 

Parietal diameter . . . . . . . .5.3 

Occipito-frontal arch . . . . . . .13.8 

Length of head and face ....... 8.2 

Zygomatic diameter . . . . . . .4.9 

Facial angle . . . . . . . .16 


To give the reader more particular information respecting the supposed charac¬ 
teristics of this interesting relic of an extinct people, I have, with the assistance 
of a phrenological friend, prepared the following “chart.” For the localities of the 
“ organs,” &c., reference was had to Spurzheim, 1 whose works have become a portion 
of the literature of the country, and are to be found in all important libraries. 
Although the principles of this professed science may not be true in all their details, 
yet its nomenclature affords the means of presenting the conformation of the skull 
in a definite manner. The figure following the name of each organ indicates its 
relative development; 0 signifying deficiency, and 6 very full or unusual prominence. 

AFFECTIVE ORGANS. 

I. Propensities. 

Destructiveness 
Amativeness 
Philoprogenitiveness 
Adhesiveness 
Inhabitiveness 
Combativeness 
Secretiveness 
Acquisitiveness 
Constructiveness 
II. Sentiments. 

Cautiousness (very full) 

Approbativeness 
Self-esteem . 

Benevolence . 


4 \ 

6 

6 

5 

5 

5 

H 


li 


1 Phrenology, Boston, 1833. 


















82 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


Reverence . 
Firmness 
Conscientiousness 
Hope 

Marvellousness 
Ideality 
Mirthful ness 
Imitation 


3 

4 

4* 

4 ± 

3 

4 

H 

91 


INTELLECTUAL ORGANS. 

III. Perceptive. 

Individuality (large) .... 

Configuration ..... 

Size ....... 

Weight and resistance .... 

Coloring ...... 

Locality ...... 

Order ...... 

Calculation ...... 

Eventuality ...... 

Time ...... 

Tune ...... 

Language (uncertain) .... 

IV. Reflective. 

Comparison ...... 

Causality ...... 


6 

2 

6 


3 

5 

n 


J 2 

91 

-2 

H 

5 ? 


4* 

5 


This chart shows that the affective, or feeling faculties, prevail over the intellectual, 
in the proportion of 4.3 to 3.9; and the several groups of organs are developed in 
the following order: 


Propensities 
Reflective 
Sentiments . 
Perceptive . 


4.8 

4.7 

3.9 

3.8 


Whether these figures can be relied upon as indicating the character and disposi¬ 
tion of the individual to whom the skull belonged, may be doubted; though it will 
be perceived that their indications correspond with the general character of the 
aborigines, in the large cautiousness, individuality, &c., and the deficient construc¬ 
tiveness, calculation, &c. 

But few implements, ornaments, or works of art of any kind, have been discovered 
in the mounds of Wisconsin, that could not be traced to recent Indian burials; and 
yet it is certain that had they been originally deposited, they would still be found 
there. The stone axes, flint arrow-heads, and articles of pottery, are of a durable 
character, and could not have decayed since the erection of the mounds. Hence, 
we conclude that the more ancient mound-builders of Wisconsin were not in the 
habit of making such deposits. 

The tumulus opened by me at Waukesha (See Chapter II, page 28) contained 
a stone pipe, another of burned clay, and fragments of two vases. These were of 
the same general kind and composition as the pipes and pottery of the Indians 
so frequently turned up by the plough. 



















REMAINS OF ANCIENT WORKMANSHIP. 


83 


Fig. 39 represents the pipe found in or near the left hand of the skeleton. It 
consists of pottery made of the same materials as the ordinary vases or pots. 

Fig. 40 was taken from the right hand of the same skeleton, and is made from 


Fig. 39. Fig. 40. 



Two thirds natural size. 


Natural size. 


a kind of soft argillite of a purplish color. This pipe differs from all others that 
I have seen, by having the horizontal opening on both sides. 

Fig. 41 is made of steatite, green variegated with white. 

Fig. 42 is a large calumet, or pipe of peace, made of a fine-grained gray sandstone. 


Fig. 41. 



One half natural size. 


Fig. 42. 



One half natural size. 


Having been broken, it was mended with plates of lead. The small round punc¬ 
tures are supposed to represent the number of treaties which had been solemnized 
by this emblem. The drawing reduces the size one half. 

Fig. 43 is of the same material as the last, but of finer texture. 

Fig. 44 was found on the surface of the ground, on Lake Koshokenong. It has 


Fig. 43. 


Fig. 44. 




Two thirds natural size. 


One half natural size. 


been burned and broken into fragments. It was apparently made of a like soft 
argillaceous sandstone. 






















84 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


Tig. 45 is a fragment of a pipe made of a reddish argillaceous stone. 

Fig. 46 is of gray fine-grained sandstone, so soft that it was apparently cut and 
reduced to the proper form with a knife. 

Fig. 47 is of the same material, in which was found a small nodule of iron pyrites; 





and the artist has taken advantage of this to ornament his work, and to leave a 
corresponding protuberance on the opposite side for symmetry. It was presented to 
me by Miss Amelia E. Higgins. 

Fig. 48 is made of the beautiful red pipe-stone from the “ Coteau des Prairies,” and 
is probably also a calumet, or pipe of state. 

Fig. 49 was made and used by the Menomonee Indians of the Neenah river, from 
a whitish stone, now injured by accidental fire. 


Fig. 48. 



One half natural size. 


Fig. 49. 



One half natural size. 


The pipe, Figs. 50 and 51, is of a dark-colored stone or clay slate, with traces of 
organic remains surrounded by iron pyrites. The end may be supposed to repre- 


Fig. 50. 


Fig. 61. 




Two thirds natural size. 


Two thirds natural size. 













REMAINS OF ANCIENT WORKMANSHIP. 


85 


belongs to 


Dr. P. R. 


Fig. 52. 


sent the head of a snake, or perhaps the bill of a duck. It 
Hoy, of Racine. 

Fig. 39 is of artificial pottery. Figs. 40 and 50 are of argillite or clay slate rock. 
Fig. 41 is of steatite. Figs. 42, 43, 44, 46, and 47, are of gray sandstone, of a fine 
grain, and with argillaceous admixture. Fig. 45 is of reddish sandstone. Fig. 48 is 
of the red pipe-stone. Fig. 49 is of a whitish, or chalk-like stone. 

In no one article was so much ingenuity displayed'by aboriginal natives as in 
pipe making. Many of the pipes are formed with much taste, and are designed 
to be representations of animals with which they were familiar. 

Arrow-points and spear-lieads have occasionally been found in the mounds; but 
they mostly occur on, or not far beneath, the surface of the ground. They gene¬ 
rally consist of schist or hornstone, usually denominated flint. 

Fig. 52 represents an interesting form of arrow-point, narrower than usual, 
lozenge-shaped, and enlarged at the posterior extremity. 

Remains of broken pottery are found in the mounds, and also 
in great abundance wherever there has been an Indian settlement. 

The pots were formed by hand, of clay and sand, or fine gravel, 
occasionally mixed with broken shells and other substances, and 
then slightly burned. The potter’s wheel, that most ancient of 
all machines, was evidently not in use among the aboriginal in¬ 
habitants of America. 

The pots, or vases, found in the mounds at Waukesha and 
Racine, were in connection with the original deposit, and must, 
therefore, have been the work of the mound-builders. They 
agree in every respect with the fragments found about the old 
Indian villages; and probably with the same articles as now 
manufactured by the females of tribes residing on the Missouri. 1 

The vessels were variously ornamented by lines and dots stamped upon them, 
when in a soft state, by hand. Occasionally the whole surface is so marked, but 
usually the rim only is ornamented. 

The vases obtained at Waukesha, and also at Aztalan, must have been broken 
before they were deposited in the mounds ; for only portions of different vases could 
be found. 

Fig. 53 represents the vase found in a mound at Racine, and restored by Dr. P. 
R. Hoy, described in Chapter I. 2 



One half natural size. 


1 Mr. Catlin informs us that “earthen dishes are made by the Mandan women in great quantities, 
and modelled in a thousand forms and tastes. They are made from a tough black clay, and baked in 
kilns which are made for the purpose, and are nearly equal in hardness to our own manufactured pottery, 
though they have not yet got the art of glazing. They make them so strong and serviceable, however, 
that they hang them over the fire as we do our iron kettles, and boil their meat in them with perfect 
success. Here women can be seen handling them by hundreds, moulding them in fanciful forms, and 
passing them through the kilns.”—Catlin’s North American Indians, I, 116 ; quoted in Squier’s 
Antiquities of New York, page 132. 

2 That the state of the potter’s art among the southern nations was not much more advanced than in 
Wisconsin, appears from the following extract: “The ancient pottery of Nicaragua is always well 



86 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


Fig. 54 represents a stone axe. These axes are worked to a sharp edge at one 
end, and have a depression around the head for the handle. Although they all 
have the same general form, there are no two exactly alike. The one figured must 
have been used in the manner of a carpenter’s adze. These are made of the hardest 



One third natural size. 


One quarter natural size. 


One half natural size. One half 

natural size. 


stone, selected from boulders very nearly of the right shape, so as to require the 
least labor. Some of them retain a portion of the natural polish of the boulder on 
the head and edges. 

Figs. 55 and 56 represent a chisel-shaped instrument, which may have been 
employed in taking off the skins of large quadrupeds. 

These stone chisels were perhaps made use of instead of the bone, in dressing 
skins of the bison as is now practised by the wild Indians of the West. The last 
process, termed graining, is performed by the squaws, who use a sharpened bone, 
the shoulder-blade or other large bone of the animal, sharpened at the edge, some¬ 
what like an adze; with the edges of which they scrape the fleshy side of the skin, 
bearing on with the weight of their bodies, thereby drying and softening, and fitting 
it for service. (Catlin’s North American Indians, I, 45.) 

An image made of wood (Fig. 57) was discovered at Prairie village (Waukesha), 
soon after its first settlement by the whites, and presented to me by Mr. C. F. 
Warren. It is evident that it could have no very great antiquity; though it may 
have been preserved and handed down for several generations. It is quite rudely 
carved, the head very much flattened, and the general expression more that of a 
monkey than of a man. 


burned, and often elaborately painted in brilliant and durable colors. The forms are generally very 
regular, but there is no evidence of the use of the potter’s wheel; on the contrary, there is reason to 
believe that the ancient processes have undergone little or no modification since the Conquest. The 
pottery now generally in use among all classes in Central America, is of the Indian manufacture, and 
is fashioned entirely by hand.”—Squicr’s Nicaragua, 1852, II, 337-8. 














REMAINS OF ANCIENT WORKMANSHIP. 


87 


Such images were formerly common with the Indians, and are still to be found 
among the remote tribes, which retain many of their ancient customs. “ Most of 
the Crees carry with them one or more small wooden figures rudely carved, some 
of which they state to be representations of a malicious or at least a capricious being 
named Kepuchikan (or Gepuchikan), to whom they make offerings.” (J. Richardson’s 
Arctic Searching Expedition, 1852, page 2G8.) 

Fig. 58 represents a circular stone composed of variegated quartz, of a light gray 


Fig. 57. 



Two thirds natural size. 



color, perforated; doubtless intended to be used in the Indian game of tchung-kee, 
as described by Catlin. 1 


1 The Mandans have a game “ which may be said to be their favorite amusement, and unknown to the 
other tribes about them. The game is tchung-kee (see Fig. 59), a beautiful athletic exercise which they 


Fig. 59. 



seem to be almost unceasingly practising whilst the weather is fair, and they have nothing else of 
moment to demand their attention. This game is decidedly their favorite amusement, and is played 
near to the village on a pavement of clay which has been used for that purpose until it has become as 
smooth and hard as a floor. For this game two champions form their respective parties, by choosing 































































































88 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 

This stone was found at Milwaukee, where it had doubtless been lost at some 
remote time. Its form is precisely such as to enable it to roll the greatest distance 
without falling. 

Similar stones are found in Ohio, and are described by Messrs. Squier and Davis, 1 
which were without doubt used for a like purpose. 

Fig. GO represents a chisel or implement of native copper, found at Stephen’s 

Fig. 60. 




One half natural size. 


Point on the upper Wisconsin river, in 1850, and deposited in the cabinet of the 
University of Wisconsin by Mr. James W. Wright. It appears to have originally 
had a sort of finish on the upper or convex side, and on the edges; but in many 
places it is decayed and gone. There are also indications of grinding or rubbing, on 
the surface. The under, or flat side, is full of irregular cavities, and was probably 
never smoothed. It is supposed to have been brought to its present shape by 
hammering, probably with a stone hammer. 


alternately the most famous players, until their requisite numbers are made up. Their bettings are 
then made, and their stakes are held by some of the chiefs, or others present. The play commences 
with two (one from each party), who start off upon a trot abreast of each other, and one of them rolls, 
in advance of them on the pavement, a little ring of two or three inches in diameter, cut out of a stone; 
and each one follows it up with his tchung-kee (a stick six feet in length, with little bits of leather pro¬ 
jecting from its sides, of an inch or more in length), which he throws before him as he runs, sliding it 
along upon the ground after the ring, endeavoring to place it in such a position when it stops, that the 
ring may fall upon it, and receive one of the little projections of leather through it, which counts for game 
one, or two, or four, according to the position of the leather on which the ring is lodged. The last winner 
always has the rolling of the ring, and both start the tchung-kee together; if either fails to receive the 
ring, or to lie in a certain position, it is a forfeiture of the amount of the number he was nearest to, 
and he loses his throw ; when another steps into his place. The game is a difficult one to describe so 
as to give an exact idea of it, unless one can see it played ; it is a game of great beauty and fine bodily 
exercise, and these people become excessively fond of it.”—Catlin’s North American Indians, 1,132. 

A similar game was practised by the Senecas; as described by Lewis H. Morgan, in the Third Annual 
Report of the Regents of the University of New York, 1850, p. T9. [And likewise by the Upper 
Creeks. See Smithsonian Contributions, II, 135-140; Trans. Amer. Ethnol. Soc., Ill, 51—57.— 
Secretary S. I.~\ 

1 Smithsonian Contributions, I, 222. 


% 









CHAPTER VIII. 

CONCLUDING REMARKS. 

It seems proper to present here some .general conclusions to which the facts 
detailed in the preceding pages lead the mind of the inquirer, though many of them 
have already been expressed. 

The American race is now, and probably always has been, divided into numerous 
distinct tribes or nations, occupying different portions of the country, and each having 
to some extent its own peculiar habits, customs, religion, and even language. Many 
of the tribes were of a roving disposition, with no fixed place of abode; while others 
were more permanent, only leaving their villages for the purpose of war or the 
chase. Since these nations have been known to us, and their history recorded, we 
are cognizant of numerous and important changes in the location of different tribes, 
and even nations. We know of tribes that have become extinct, and of others that 
have gradually united with their neighbors, adopting their habits, religion, and 
language. 

We may, therefore, without assuming any far-fetched theories, suppose that a 
nation or tribe of red men formerly occupied the country now known as Wisconsin, 
whose superstitions, ceremonies, and beliefs, required the erection of mounds of 
earth of the various forms represented on the plates accompanying this work; and 
that these tribes may have emigrated, or been driven off by others having no vene¬ 
ration for their ancient monuments. These subsequent tribes may or may not be 
the same that until very recently occupied that country. They extended their 
cultivation over the mounds with as little feeling of respect as is manifested by men 
of the race who are now fast destroying them. It is quite certain that these later 
tribes continued the practice of mound-building so far as to erect a circular or conical 
tumulus over their dead. This practice appears to be a remnant of ancient customs 
that connects the mound-builders with the present tribes. 

The extent of the ancient works in the West indicates a condition of society 
somewhat different from the purely savage or hunter state : for to accomplish the 
labor required for the completion of such large structures, it would be necessary to 
accumulate the means of subsistence; and this could be done only by an agricul¬ 
tural people, or at least agriculture must have been among the pursuits of a people 
capable of constructing those works. Now w r e know that nearly all the Indian 
tribes cultivate the soil to some extent; and is it not reasonable to suppose that 
the amount of attention devoted to that pursuit may have been greater at former 
times than at present? A tribe or nation may gradually change its habits in rela- 
12 


90 


ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 


tion to one or another class of pursuits, and yet remain essentially the same people. 
Again, the Indians are to a certain extent migratory; and hence we may look for 
the posterity of the mound-builders of Wisconsin in remote portions of the country. 

Some tribes of the Dacotah or Sioux family, especially the Mandans and Aricaras 
(Ricaras, or Riccarees), are much more stationary and fixed in their habits than 
other tribes of Indians. “ They cultivate corn, not only for their own use, but also 
enough to make it a very prominent article of trade.” 1 

Dr. Morton says: “ the Osages , Minetciris, Mandans, Assinaboins, and many cog¬ 
nate tribes, are more or less connected with the great Sioux nation ;” 2 and that the 
Osages, Omahas, Konsas, Missouri‘s, and Ouapans, all speak a language so nearly 
allied that they can severally converse with each other without an interpreter. 3 

It is quite probable that a more thorough knowledge of the habits, religious 
ceremonies, and superstitious beliefs of this great family, or group of families of 
Indians, would throw much light upon the obscure subject of the mounds, and 
perhaps unravel the mystery of their origin and uses. 

The ancient works in Wisconsin are mostly at the very places selected by the 
present Indians for their abodes; thus indicating that the habits, wants, modes of 
subsistence, &c., of their builders, were essentially the same. 

If the present tribes have no traditions running back as far as the times of 
Allouez and Marquette, or even to the more recent time of Jonathan Carver, it is 
not strange that none should exist in regard to the mounds, which must be of much 
earlier date. 

It is by considerations of this nature that we are led to the conclusion that the 
mound-builders of Wisconsin were none others than the ancestors of the present 
tribes of Indians. 

There is some evidence of a greater prevalence than at present of prairie or culti¬ 
vated land in this State, at no very remote age. The largest trees are probably not 
more than five hundred years old; and large tracts of land are now covered with 
forests of young trees, where there are no traces of an antecedent growth. Every 
year the high winds prostrate great numbers of trees; and frequent storms pass 
through the forest, throwing down nearly every thing before them. Trees are left 
with a portion of the roots still in the ground, so as to keep them alive for several 
years after their prostration. These “ wind-falls” are of frequent occurrence in the 
depths of the forests, and occasion much difficulty in making the public surveys. 
The straight lines of the sections frequently encounter them, as may be seen by 
the accompanying map. (Fig. 61.) 

The amount of earth adhering to the roots of a tree when prostrated by the wind, 
is, under favorable circumstances, very considerable, and upon their decay forms 
an oblong mound of greater or less magnitude, and a slight depression is left where 
the tree stood. These little hillocks are often, by the inexperienced, mistaken for 
Indian graves. From the paucity of these little “ tree-mounds” we infer that no 


1 T. A. Culbertson’s Journal, in 5th Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution, p. 118. 

'* Crania Americana, pp. 199, 200. 

3 The Winnebagos are a branch of the Sioux stock. Gallatin’s Synopsis, p. 120. 




CONCLUDING RE MARKS. 


91 


very great antiquity can be assigned to the dense forests of Wisconsin; for during 
a long period of time, with no material change of climate, we would expect to find 

Fig. 61. 


XVII XV HI XIX XX 



Map showing “ Wind-falls,” reported by the Surveyors of the Public Lands. Six miles to one inch. 


great numbers of these little monuments of ancient storms scattered every where 
over the ground. 

Whether the greater extent of treeless country in former times was owing to 
natural or artificial causes, it is now difficult to determine; but the great extent 
of ancient works within the depths of the present forests, would seem to indicate 
that the country was at least kept free from trees by the agency of man. 

Many of these tree-mounds were observed on and about the ancient works. 

Another curious circumstance that may be noticed by inspection of the figures of 
mounds accompanying this work, is the gradual transition, as it were, or change of 
one form into another. Examples can be found of all forms, from a true circle, 
through the oval and elongated oval, to the oblong mounds and long ridges. 
Again, there is a succession of mounds, from the simple ridge of considerable size at 
one end, and gradually diminishing to a point at the other, through the intermediate 
forms, having one, two, three, or four projections, to the “turtle form.” In this 
way, also, we may trace a gradual development (so to speak) of nearly all the 
more complicated forms. 

It is not pretended to assert that this was the order in which the mounds were 
erected; of that the aborigines gradually acquired the art by successive essays or 












92 ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN. 

lessons. Indeed, we are led to believe that the more complicated forms arc the most 
ancient. 

The relative ages of the different works in Wisconsin, so far as they can be 
ascertained from the facts now before us, are probably about as follows: 

First and oldest. The animal forms, and the great works at Aztalan. 

Second. The conical mounds built for sepulchral purposes, which come down to 
a very recent period. 

Third. The indications of garden-beds planted in regular geometrical figures or 
straight lines. 

Fourth. The plantations of the present tribes, who plant without system or 
regularity. 

Thus the taste for regular forms and arrangements, and the habits of construc¬ 
tion with earthy materials, seem to have been gradually lost, until all traces of 
them disappear in our modern degenerate red men. 

The animal-shaped mounds, and accompanying oblongs and ridges, constituting 
the first of the above series, are composed of whitish clay, or of the subsoil of 
the country. 1 

The mounds of the second series, or burial-mounds, are usually composed ol 
black mould or loam, promiscuously intermixed with the lighter-colored subsoil. 

The animal-shaped mounds appear to be peculiar to Wisconsin; for the few 
obscure instances noticed in Ohio, by Messrs. Squier and Davis, can hardly be 
deemed an exception to this remark. They indicate a difference in the character 
of the people occupying these regions, but not greater than often exists between 
the neighboring tribes or nations. 


1 It has been observed that the diluvial or drift clays, whether red, yellow, or blue in their original 
beds, assume a whitish color when exposed to the sun and dried. 



ALPHABETICAL INDEX 


A. 

Alligator mound, 63. 

Altar mounds, 18, 48, 51, 54. 

Animal-shaped mounds, 5, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 24, 
34, 37, 38, 40, 52, 54, 55, 57, 58, 64, 65, 66, 
70, 77, 92. 

Arrow-heads, 6, 24, 35, 61, 82, 85. 

Aztalan, works at, 41, 50. 

B. 

Bailey, Isaac, 25. 

Bark river, mounds near, 38-59. 

Bartlett’s Landing, mounds at, 78. 

Bear-shaped mounds, 65, 67, 70. 

Beaver Dam river, mounds near its source, 53. 
Beloit, mounds near, 33. 

Bird-shaped mounds, 27, 37, 38, 40, 54, 68, 69, 
70, 71, 72, 77. 

Brayton, J. C., 47. 

Bronson, Alfred, 66. 

Buffalo-shaped mounds, 69. 

Burial-mounds, 5, 6-11, 22, 23, 27-29, 33, 36, 44, 
47, 60, 61, 63, 64, 66, 92. 

Burlington, mounds near, 24. 

Butte des Morts, 60, 61. 

C. 

Canfield, Wm. H., 70, 71. 

Carroll College, mound on its grounds, 27. 

Catlin, George, 46 n., 47 «., 86, 87. 

Ceresco, conical mounds near, 63. 

Circular embankments, 78. 

Circular mounds, 6, 9, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 24, 27, 
30, 31, 33, 34, 40, 51, 54, 55, 57, 58, 63, 64, 
65, 66, 78. 

Club-shaped mounds, 14, 20, 21. 

Conical mounds, 20, 24, 63, 64, 78, 80. 

Contents of the mounds, 80-88. 

Copper and copper utensils, 74-79, 88. 


Cram, Capt. T. J., 34. 

Crania found and described by Dr. Hoy, 10, 81, 
82. 

Crawford, Logan, 57, 58. 

Crawfordsville, 25. 

Cruciform mounds, 18, 20, 36, 37, 39, 52, 54, 55, 
56, 57, 58, 62, 69. 

Culley, Wm. T., 26. 

D. 

Delavan lake, mounds near, 33. 

Direction of the heads of mounds, 14, 16, 17, 25, 
27, 30, 35, 36, 38, 55, 58, 64. 

Disks of stone, 8, 87, 88. 

Dublin, Father, 75. 

Dunkirk, natural mounds in, 34. 

Durr, Chas., 70. 

E. 

Eight-mile creek, mound near, 63. 

Excavations, 15, 18, 30, 31, 46, 58, 73, 78. 

F. 

Fish-shaped mound, 57. 

Foote, Dr. Lyman, 63. 

Fort at Iron creek, 73. 

Fort Atkinson, mounds near, 36. 

Fort Hill, embankments at, 39. 

Foster and Whitney, 74, 75, 76. 

Four Lakes, mounds west of, 40, 41. 

Fox river, ancient works near, 60-65. ' 

Fulton, mounds at, 33, 34. 

G. 

Gale’s Bluff, cave on, 78, 79. 

Garden-beds, ancient, 19, 57, 61, 72. 

Geneva, mound near, 24. 

Graded ways, 33, 37. 




94 


ALPHABETICAL INDEX. 


Great Butte des Morts, 63. 

Green bay, aboriginal works near, 60. 

H. 

Hartland, mounds near, 38. 

Helena, mounds near, 68. 

Hieroglyphics at Gale’s Bluff, 18. 

Higgins, Amelia E., 84. 

Honey creek, works near its mouth, 68. 

Horicon, mounds at, 55, 58. 

Horned mound, 10. 

Hoy, Dr. P. R., 6, 7, 8, 10, 81, 82, 85. 

Hudson, F., 40. 

Hustisford, curious boulder and mounds at, 51, 
52. 

Hyer, N. F., 42, 48. 

I. 

Inclosures, 14, 15, 18, 27, 71, 72, 73. 

Indian corn-hills, 19, 27. 

Indian Fields, earthworks near, 12. 

Indian graves, 19, 27, 33, 36, 41, 55, 64. 

Indian Hill, mounds at, 33. 

Indian Prairie, mounds near, 17. 

Iron Creek, fort at, 73. 

Ixonia, mounds at, 50. 

J. 

Jackson, Dr. C. T., 75. 

Jefferson, mounds west of, 36. 

Juneau, mounds at, 53. 

Juneau, Solomon, 58. 

K. 

Kenosha, antiquities found at, 6. 

Kinnickinnic creek, works near, 12, 13. 
Kishwaukee river, mounds near, 32. 

Knapp, Samuel O., 76. 

Koshkouong lake, earthworks on, 35, 36. 

L. 

La Crosse, mounds at, 78. 

Lake Superior, ancient works and ancient mining 
at, 74-79. 

Lathrop, Prof. S. P., 5, 33. 

Lcfferts, S. E., 58. 

Little Fort, 6. 

Lizard mounds, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 25, 30, 31, 
35, 36, 38, 51, 53, 54, 57, 58. 


! Locke, Dr. John, 1. 

Long, Stephen II., 1, 23, 32, 66, 67. 

Look-outs. See Observatories. 

M. 

Madison, mounds near, 40. 

Man-shaped mounds, 58, 64, 68, 73. 

Manitowoc, mounds near, 21, 22. 

Maria lake, mounds near, 65. 

Martin, Morgan L., 60. 

Mayville, mounds near, 58. 

Menasha, mounds near, 61. 

Merton, earthworks at, 38, 39. 

Milwaukee, earthworks near, 12-17. 

Mining, ancient, at Lake Superior, 74-77. 

Mors creek, mounds near, 72. 

Morton, Dr. S. G., 13, 90. 

Mound Prairie, earthworks at, 59. 

Mounds in the State, relative position of, 1. 
Mounds of Sacrifice. See Altar mounds. 
Moundville, 65. 

Muscoda, works near, 1. 

Muskego lake, works near, 24. 

Musson, Charles, 22. 

N. 

Neenah river, ancient works near, 60-65. 

O. 

Oblong mounds, 17, 20, 23, 24, 25, 27, 30, 33, 
38, 39, 54, 57, 58, 61, 62, 63, 65, 69, 72, 73, 78. 
Observatories, or look-outs, 16, 18, 20, 23, 24, 31, 
49, 58, 66. 

Oue-mile creek, mounds near, 72. 

Oval mounds, 16, 23, 33, 72. 

P. 

Parallel ridges, 21, 24, 70. 

Petit Cap au Gres, mounds at, 67. 

Petitval, Col., 64. 

Pewaukee lake, mounds at eastern extremity of, 31. 
Pike lake, mounds near, 54. 

Pipes, 28, 35, 61, 82-85. 

I’ishtaka river, works near, 23-31. 

Posture of buried bodies, 7, 9. 

Potash-kettles, 2. 

Pottery, 6, 8, 10, 28, 44, 47, 65, 82, 85. 

Prairie du Chien, works at, 1, 66, 67. 

Prairie Village, or Prairicvillc. See Waukesha. 
Pyramidal mounds, 45, 50, 74. 




ALPHABETICAL INDEX. 


95 


R. 

Raccoon-shaped mounds, 65. 

Racine, works at, 6-11 

Red Rauks, traces of ancient cultivation at, 60. 
Reed, Curtis, 77. 

Relative ages of earthworks, 92. 

Richardson, Sir John, 87. 

Ridges, 16, 21, 37, 38, 45, 46, 49, 58, 69, 70. 
Ripley lake, mounds near, 37. 

Rock river, ancient works near, 5, 32-59. 
Rolling Prairie, natural mounds at, 53. 

Root river, works on, 6. 

Round mounds. See Circular mounds. 

S. 

Sacred inclosure at Aztalan, 41-50. 

Saukville, circular mounds at, 20. 

Seely, Dr. J. F., 21. 

Semicircular embankments, 6, 9, 78. 

Sepulchral mounds. See Burial mounds.. - 
Serpent mounds, 37, 38. 

Shells, fresh water, in burial mounds, 28. 
Shepard, Prof. Chas. TJ., 5. 

Sherman’s Addition, animal mounds in, 16. 
Silver lake, mounds near, 23. 

Skinner, stone instrument so-called, 39. 
Spread-eagle mound, 63. 

Squier and Davis, 1, 42, 48, 49, 88. 

Stephens, John L., 49. 

Stephen’s Point, copper implement found at, 88. 
Stone Bird, at Hustisford, 51. 

Stone disks. See Disks. 

Stone implements, 20, 24, 74, 75, 82, 86, 87. 
Summit, mounds at, 38. 

Sweet, L. L., 20, 21. 

T. 

Tadpole mounds, 35, 57. 

Tapering mounds, 9, 33, 36, 55. 


Taylor, R. C., 1, 25, 63. 

Taylor, Stephen, 1, 26, 42, 67. 

Tchung-kee, game of, 87. 

Temple-mounds. See Pyramidal mounds. 
Theresa, mounds at, 58. 

Three-pronged mound, 35. 

Tiffany, Geo. O., 14. 

Tobacco-pipe mound, 54. 

Tree-mounds, 90, 91. 

Trenton, mounds in, 20. 

Turtle-mounds, 5, 20, 24, 28, 26, 27, 30, 31, 35, 
38, 41, 54, 63. 

U. 

Utica, mound at, 63. 

Y. 

Vandyke, O., 77. 

Yieux Desert, ancient works at, 73. 


AY. 

Walker’s Point, earthworks near, 15. 

War-club mound, 54. 

Warren, C. F., 86. 

Watch-tower. See Observatories. 

Waukesha, mounds at, 26-30. 

Waupacca falls, mounds at, 63. 

Waupun, earthworks near, 59. 

Waushara, ancient works at, 54. 

Whittlesey, Col. Charles, 63. 

Wind-falls, 90, 91. 

Wind lake, conical mounds near, 24. 

Winged mounds, 16, 25. 

Wingra lake, mounds north of, 40. 

Wisconsin river, ancient works near, 66. 

Wooden implements at Lake Superior, 74, 75, 76. 
Wright, Jas. AY., 88. 


PUBLISH ED BY THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 

MAT, 1855. 


























































































































































< 





E II R A T A. 


Page 66, line 10, for “eleven hundred,” read “eleven thousand.” 
“ 12, “ 22, for “Mors Creek,” read “Maus’ Creek.” 

“ 72, “ 34, for “Moss Creek,” read “Maus’ Creek.” 

“ 73, “ 15, for “730 chains,” read “ 7.30 chains.” 

“ 77, “ 17, for “page 368,” read “page 66.” 

“ 82, “ 45, for “page 173,” read “page 28.” 

“ 88, “ 32, for “ page 79,” read “ page 81.” 
















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AOLW'Al'EEE • 

Saryryed in 18-iS hr LrU npham. 
Sonic- — 40 ft. to an inch . 


u= 


iJLLajAiAjn.Cel 
























































































\ 
















































I 








z 






FIRST WARD 

* mnmiimi, 

Xun'n'rr/ in 181*8 by 
I.A.Laphain. 


SCALE. 
fO (l, to an inch 



rl|r»_ 3=g 




r- 

l A.l&phaxn.Del. 


T ^inx-lau- c Lih ®hj] 















































































































VI 



I. JLla-phaxn. Del, 


T.Sinclair's lith.Phi] 










































































































































VII 





amhieot wm 


OX THE SCHOOL SECTION 




Surveyed in 18-19 bv 
I.A.Lifptiani 


SCALE 

KlO ftto an fneft 


/'.a f'&y 


“>£ ■ 
r 




7,A LarTnani, T~ e. 


&VAr~n tr>. liik.Filll 


HI orb An. ISO, Second Ward Milwaukee . 







































I 


VIII 






A1TSIBW 'yyo'R'K^ 


JNDJAi'i PBAOBJE 


OWX a RANGE 22 


Surveyed, May 1800 hr I.A.Lapham 


Indian Graves 


SCALE 

250 ft. to an fitch 


Thr Indian (drives 


SECTION 

of'the "(hitrim Beds 


THE 

CROSS 









































































































# 







I 










IX 




1 


m 

C=1 

Q 

<! 


53 

Q 


Q 













































































































X 





























































XI 









[•i L An:, _ C. 


T ZiacTaizg lul PI_Z 























































# 



XII 

































































































XII! 


N? ] 



1 ( 3* £ pi vX / ^ ^ f? 


?V^ CiS'CS 

1 ■ | 

"V- ioXj?;~ ‘ si; aa,- 


~~ ' <\3 li.M ■ - V s 1 •■• 




f Xr^^X''? 

—A )—A 'i ■ - * 

1 

V .. >-. r-? ~ ■ xl 

c fr‘. £ > ‘ ■ - 

‘'--V ’ 



f vr*>^**V~\ ^ 


UZ/WRQ 3 ) MffiUFJID) 

S .¥. Comer of 3T.W#of S. 26 T.2 R. 19. 
5 Miles South of 
BURLINGTON. 


.- .-A CO,. 

> ■ » 4 O rJ 


C ‘ ^ >X c -3 • : r t V ‘ ° f ■ 

• / ”T, r '\C<.. ’* ✓a fJr r ' v <3 .1 o 
•At: 4 .'••0 1 -5* -,\ J r'.fp 


SCALE 40 Jt to an bich 


<' f-P-'' V?x />.< ‘ V v 

' x \ 

X S ^/*7 

e- •» 4 <--i ^-V.y > ;< * VT*' * • rfS?/ 

<', o"-.r■s'V.O.o .■'SASA':.■■■■-.' * 






i 

Ia;a A 

. . »- (~»-v - ' r .J u 


M? 2 


1 






AT BITRJLINGTON, 

RASYNI (K 

Surveyed J 850 

I3v I. A. Lapham. 


SCALE 

2oo ft to cm Inch- 



I. A Latham, Del 


T Sinclair a Efli ThU 







































































































♦ 


* 








































XIV 


rx, 


GROUP OF 

OJBlDrjU JVJ OU/'jlW 

SOUTn OF 

CRAWFORDSVILLE. 

* Surveyed in IfXio 
hr 

l.A.I. aiilmni. * 


X? 2 




'V. 


x w 


. 3 


, k / 




''’“’'""Vnnf 


t 

’hmwmmm*" 1 ' 


x> 




%»ro»mwww' ,, ' ,nwW 




/ / 


. 






X^ Cx 

X. V 







A lapritOTi.XJt! 


T Sinclair £ iuh lid 




































































































XV 



""'"'I'iiiiw® 




, ■ . -V,..., , 




I 




(pawfon 


jlsfp or THE 

MKCfflEFfT W®11KS 

L\ THE VICLVITV OF THE 


BJvB EEWE) 


of; mt: pishtaka biter. 

Town a. Range 19. 
Surveyed^ in /SSO hy~ I. A. L apliain 


SCALE 

25fJO ft. fo an hieh 


I. A LA-&>v3Tn 7. ; el 


I Sinclairs hlh FhiL 


















































































XVI 













































































XVII. 



* 


T Sinclair's Mh fhil 


k) f't. to an hu'h 

















































































XVIII. 



SECTION 


( ( MO l JTD )> 


. • - ■. v-,. 


***■*£: Sk'Uton 

v 

Limestone Gra vel 


'rSs& 


AiTElEHT 77-DEKS 

AT A_N I) 

yy>\3JKESMA 

Surveyed in $36& $30 by 

I. A . Lapham. 


NEAR 


SCALE 

fKM) fl to an hirh 


7 Sinclair's lnh 























































































$ 


























\ 





\ 



XIX 
















































































* V 
























XX 



AT 

WATTEESHA 

May IftjO. 

•ft 1\ to an Inch . 


. A L -■ r ohAxn.,I>eL 


w . 


t J- \\ 




ijiiiD mnj. 
WAiPiKESMAo 

Surveyed in May I860, by— LA.Lapham. 


SCALE 

100 /) to an Inch . 

















































































COLLEGE HILL 

)yADMM. 


Surrevai in ItioU, In’— I. A • I 


SCALE 

K)0 f't to on lurh 


Carrol 

/ oli'f)' 


'w-<; 




M/HifWttnic .*.■• '■ ' ■ , 


fill "< III I • ' !•,}.. ; M->. 


T 3mclair*> hih hw 


A Lapham. Lei 


































































% 













0 

















I 








XXII 






, 


tf J 



* * 
5 .K 


■■■“iiiiiw# 


inHHIW 


e jo 


: %mmm 


AT 

WA UKE SHA 

Surveyed May 1850. 

•XO ft to an Inch . 

N° 1 . 




AT 

WAUKESHA 

SurveyedMav Ifi.tO 

' «/ 

fO ft. to an Jnrti. 


V 


TIIE HIRD_ WAUKESHA 

Surveyed May 1810 . 




i M/'Wlii! /MU i . 



N? 3. 


■tO ft to an Inch. 


- k. r.a.pEajn Pel - 


T Sinclair’« Iith PEik. 

















































































































































































































































XXIII 


araiMT wdem. 


d 



I 1 Lajihuni Del 


T Sinclair a Uih Phil'* 























































XXIV 



XV 4f 


AMENT W1B 

ON THE SCHOOL SECTION 

IPEWMJIKEE. 

Surveyed, May 1850, _*b j I ..A. Lap ham 


SCALE 

JO feet to an Inch 




I. 


A..L aphaic. Del 


T impair a isi. ?lsL» 




































































♦ 


















XXV 






Road to Monroe.. 'll Miles 




C u / t i v a i f (1 




AniiTEHT *yyODIEIKS 

On Sec. 6 T 1 R G E. 


SCALE. 

120 frrt to anbirh 



± Laqpham Del. 


T Sinclair's Ti?fc Tim* 



























































XXVI 



*v ' t; <f ... ' v Vi V’r <' 1 ■ ' 

' ‘ n/wnirw 

* • C- » »«» 4 


■ . ; i ■ ■ 


*;'• •• ^ ' f '' l " . - 'i ry n ^V 1 . r ?£.$ 

■ V I £ 

- J 


&■ r > C ‘ > 0 < 

II -, J , ' ) ■■''I ” r 

f.) ." f!> 


; f* 


•■ .: a - 4 i 

P> fV 1 ■ £> ■ „ .<> 

V> ; A r ., ; 

.f- ,. c . fs> 


4 VkN. * » 

Gi» r. «c 'V*. -> f,-. 


J ? - || 

n 

iiiiL r c=k *-■ ^ 




I ' ' i ■■ 

r <£>%' OaV* 
/-i c- 



Sr d ion 



iViTimri' w 

AT 

[XI)[AX HILL 

NEAR 

foult D n 0 

Survern/ in /SSO, f>r _I.JLLaph am. 


t.h~L ?.cham Del. 


T .'incladrV ';*J . 'r. 




















































































XXVII. 











































» 











N 







XXVIII. 


.AFJOEHT W©MI£25 

AT 




F©ET ATTK1WSI3DRI 

Suryy.yed m Z650 _ by 1 

SCALE 


. A . Lajjuun. 

. 300 &. tv an huh . 


■' ip- ; gr ;v"v- •- o-’Vi 

l .P ' ^<?, 4 jVP 3 

*- ^ r* *- j '. ^ _~r ,■ > i. r .a .. N * ... 5 


N? 1. 


s ; 



msmET 

NEAR 

©iEIFIFEiBStS 

Surreyedin /850-hy IA.Lapham 




A? 2 . 



‘ t ** .v _ »• ■ ■ ' /; in m\\ 

■ % V ' i,,r ^ Pky>- , V‘> ^ 

^ • 0 .-is. o* x ^■ d ^ ■■. 1 3 ^. <*•* .■•.r 


IJL Laph-am/Del 


T . Sinclair s lith..Fhil* 
































































XXIX. 


IK/*-* ' r "■■'.? X<^ ■’ P’Pcp- w '-^ l "-? VVT 

U*^ r -,L .5 -• I. -',.-,,V v) f .>\ J. jf V Jj> “ o» r-. ^ V ^ r - •"'•'5k 

f % 


N-' 


TyHlWimwwwt H HIWW H M U i ^ 

P • v 


'-^c? ^ r » 

(y p v PPp : 5 ^ J "' 

-.1 _>* A A? C .<, '•••5 iU •*;. -■“> £-iS ^ ..'. ,-.' ■•'' 

f R t? a ;:v- " £? JT 3 c-o ; pV ; <£«JP A r . P 

. 'V' V J tt^ lt VU I WMlUllllmUlUIIIMi a iiliium»l. ^ O .iilflUMUItlUKif... 1 tl‘ - 1 '.'*** 


TURTLE MOUND. 

SILVER LAKE. 

40 ft. to an In rh . 


- —'* rtf gf ■; 4 . r, 3 r-y 


ItfPP 0=3 

J • I p C? fAbp; 


- r~, r -. ctftt eel 

IU 

■ - : i 

s 


■ 

^ £ 5 .* 

> cO ^’ 0 “ rtf> 

''XXs 1 fp 





, ■•%?!?' ' r 

. • ‘x- U 

. S.P- 

u 

i \ 

tS\ P Pi 


? p : X 4 

> .,- hs • .-~K ---£2*t-S3t^> :x ' “ 4 


o 

?wt 


•0<vJ> 


. "—•:••. -T- i i-\ 

■ o A 


> r 7 J P‘' /*■ „ 

• J 1 f u» 

p£Pp 


(vfja hO "\V ..AW 

y-' 3 N - ( 3 Q ^ ..---. s -' 3 .i \\r,f r 3 

n 

- ^ ^ . - 


& 



rf§. s? J 3 A 

i"! l ‘T‘".HHiiiuimtumt.n* '""' 



•S 3 .; t _ 

pP,-fpS?vi 

n 

i! 

j I » 

y 

PpP . -A 

: - S ^ -f 

** ^ • Pj ■ V c 




, SEETCH OF THE 

4 US 1 EHT wmms>, 

IKIUPUrtf LAKE. 

Surveyed /// I8S0 _ by I.A.LapJuim » 


Ea^3.1iain.;D el. 


T Sinclair’s Tith.,.Phil* 

















































XXX 



T . Sinclair s lifh. Phil® 








































































































XXXI. 



T Sinclair's Tith. ?>u? 





















































































» 




I 













XXXII. 



• ‘'.I-"'?'.' • ■ 

■ ?l 


■. fe^ao&a Ssfg 

mamT wo ** s - .3^.. - 

^ ^ Y ^ ^ r y **v 


NT ATI 

MANITOWOC. 
Described br Charles Atussan 
1850 





1:.Z....-- :.-L : : I t 












‘tyfVjv >■ j • ■ • cj 



•jjv i. 


" rn. o>V ’ • , <-H.V 'N, 

»&»; £%■» 

<S» 9 s ; &> 


Won 


'^ 5 '^ / yT 

' 1 ~ £?i <Xf ;V 

' ^ ij-} '^.i'v' osyVtf' 

. 

1 . Cf3 ■ >• ^W* 



X 77 1 H D 


LA KE 


MOUNDS 

AT 

MADISON. 

Sure? /ftlii, by F Hudson 
2 fh \tS2A] to an birli 


ANCIENT WORKS 

an the North side pi' 

LAKE WTNGRA. 

Surveyed UlfiO, by J. 


J.ak' 

%iJ ’ l yn'.'/ r “ 


• A X aiftumi .Dei . 


T Sinclairs jith.-Phil®' 

























































































































> 






































































XXXIII. 


--------- ----- 


• 

- ‘ " -V Jf ■ ■ ■ 

£r\- CZz- • ? • ^ r Vv Vr* r -i! '''<£$ - OP 

■ o i 

o , 

Q o 

•■ ■ j s 

. „ r . • o ./- " t 

. .. 1 

' ' ' o „' ■ J 9 

' o . 3 

• . i . ; / ■ . 

oo ■ ■ ' . ■ V °t‘i . 

< • ■' '.. 1 . % •“*; ■ ' 

. ;r . k 0 :„ ■ ■■ »■ 

0 ” o __—' 

■ . O ' ' . o^ • . 

/ 

/ 

v ' / ' ^ \ • „«* 

y y® 

... 

, ' K 

, jm o . AiKism' w@mks 

; ? 1 f AT I1U: S07JTEr EAST A&GZE OF THE 

* 'JJ-JJ-HD HAKE. 

'("t 1 ^ ^ 7 ^ Surveyed m 1850,— ~by LAXopliam. 


Pill" 







































(# »M****»*, nt 


.“»»»...W”**® 




.....m.i, 




Oak Tree 
18 In (Ham 






. 


.' 

sif . . 


. i ,f.v 

. . "y,HJ 














i.imMi'" 


Surveyed in 18.S0, 




‘ZZm ... 


nn'”"'” 


XXXIV. 


I .A lap: 


aphi an n. ID el. 


T Sinclair's ith Thil®' 




























































































































XXXV. 






A 5 \tai:am 


2 <> 


MAP SHEWING THE 

AHS2IEOT W©1EMS 

A T AjVJJ NEAR 

AZTTAtLAFL 

Surveyed, in 1850 ,— iv T.A.LapKam . 


SCA LE 

fooo /? tn an Inch . 


I A.. L ar>liain, Del 


T . Sinclair’s iiL, Phil^ 













































































































\ 


































































\ 









/ 




















XXXVI. 















































XXXVII 



AmEEPT 


Surveyed in MS,/ _ by I. A.Lapham 





















































XXXVIII. 











mimfc 






Jndent (iilii vt 


, v/ . 






*'*%«*, 


1 ""mtuii 


| ,H«» ,, ' ,,, " ,,,, " m »»I<MUIM»IMIHI*I'// // 


MAP OF THE 

AHfOIEHT lydDiMS 

AYD 

WDLUWAL WHD&JES 

AT 

MAW II LIE. 


i Vjjv 


1 L ipho:. Da; 


























































































XXXIX. 



V 


« . if «. ~ 

I 

fop < 

- f If 

3 ,/ | 

1 ! ’J 

. ■ ■ I 

• ;.... 

' ■ ' I ’ . Jr 

i A ,- 

■ • 

' ". " „ . / 

•4 '■ / 

C-> 

A \ 


i , 
/ 


' f r- » <v/w • 'v' 7 

f 

/ . 

' / , . • ' ( 

1 — ■- ■... m 


\ 

I 

t / ,■ r I 

/■ ■* ' > 

. ( " i - ■ 


j^S I ^ 

i •' % ' / 

/ 

° s 

! • I 

/ -i - V 

/ ,— s , \ 

■ / 


A/ . 



.vV’*-' 


I , 

-i 

■ A ■ 

l 

>&c 


Cv,yi"-to cv, crAljSre 
A<-> • ii 

-si , 

..... 

• ■ W| : 

'A ^ .. 

- I 

A '• 

s ■ ■'• 

^7 'j j w^-. C - - i^»- \ \ , 

■>« • ■ • • J- 


, <■ y. “• . 

.-■ tj > ' ^S- ,- , f-t 

Xx’ ■■£,'■.- 

O '.} 


’ 


- ■-;.--"w™«*X' : . ..■■ ■ . • -, . 

'■' • • v.-. ®'i»w«wmwW»W |19 ! . 


AHOEHTP WdDKIKS 

On W V. N.W'V.SEC 18. T 12. R . 17. 
NEAR 

fMAWDUHE. 

Surveved w ISM,.by I.A.Lapkam.. 

3 CA LL — 200 A. to <m Jnoh 


A *- •’ im. Del. 


T Smcldir s liti ?>ul a 






















































XL 



3 Mrr,Es s. w. from 


? c< ;v v ^Vf'- <•>* ■“• c 

..v'^cv^,'/-* r ir rki; 


MMVDIUUE 


Surveyed in 1&51 bv I.A.Lapham. 


SCA LE — St to art Inch 


""""/2 V C ' 
. "‘•'hu,.-.-- 


't "T. 


VJ 6 fl 


VT-V ~'r~vr 

;.y-’ jint;. 




r>- , r '^ (; ' -." v \^ ' 

'■SiS*'- ^ ' '•••’* evw.^-v 
- c Hy-- •'t; •• v^F-w 

nT Ot\ r >' 1 c.Otv A, _ 


%V,S 


I. A . LsmKani.'Del . 


i oia-Cijon a jna. nui* 




/iHClIEHT WOMBMi 

CENTRE OF S 26. T J2. R 16. 

Surveyed in MSI, _ by Logan. Crawford , 


SC A LE_ 4S) foot to an Irish . 
































XLI. 


AFfCTEOT WODIEMS 

[on STOCKBRLDGE LOTS, N“ 17. 18 ft 19] 

EAST SIDE OF I.AWE 

W0NNEIB/\<G<1D. 

Surveyedm !8S/. _ by I. A. LapKam. 



N? Z. 


K iW' v -; M 



SCALE 

Zoo it to an huh 


i~ . 

. ,/ *«==ss= 

v.-s*<*-Aw.‘-T/r- To- ^ ^ «*jT — 


•*/*. ,r 


•■■ :■ . 1 ' . • ' K 

\ ■ / . \ ; ; ,.,a 

' *. ' 



-,,, 

.1?/'.. - ;•'• •**'" .. .. <' '■<>, 

-•• -•■ ■ ■’■*> E -It -..S* 





■ t.j, v ; ‘ \$ ! .. 
c '■‘•■'j c v? • „ 

•. $ 

V5 ' 


. 


.... 

-. ' • . ,-v ,** ,.S? 

■ ‘ <" .< s.y - ' « - , i <*5 ^ m (. 

>/•;>/ o .. 




N° 3. 


0#*r 

^UiMUtu 

A\'l% 

1 

1 

l | 

^ = 

| \ 


' \A r 
■ vyl 


•^3^5 


vi ;. 


// 


(* • • . ,' *x -V, •■• . / V ••• . •' ■ i' 

x5'~ 'ip <$ <e K f*. W 


V 


4i 


iiiilimiiiiiHnmi' 


| 

\ I 
- 

1 


The SpreadEagle-IJtira. 

Siirvi*/fi.5! by I.A.L— Sra/g 40 ft ~to an In. 


Q.« .ANCIENT WORKS .fee.J«7. ©ht/ Zo. Range 18.-last side of L.WINNEBAGO. 

c. Surveyed in J8ol } —by I.A.Xapham ,— 2oo ft to an In 

(-t-r' - ",V'^IV'C3rV--- 


rc-\r. ^ ■ r"'Gci 


N? 1. 



A . Laoh-m . "Dei 


T Sinclairs li£L. Pml* 




























































X LI I 


JST? 4-. 




omUUIIIIUIHIMUIH. 

......„. 


....uHmmmiuiiiniM»i»im">ii^ llmlimwu "' V 




HiHMHiniMimiiiMMiciiiiiiiiMmiiiminmmimiimim' 1 


MMmmMmtmiammmmMimiiMiimiamim,,', 






.... 


IMOOJME) 

OX SEC. 19. T 9. R G. E. 
S*iireeved Or 1850. by I. A.Lapham. 


2 § \ \ 

My * ^ 

1/ 


\ \ 
\ 


x> 


SCALE 

4o ft to an Inch 








.* 




#' ^"rnimmmi 


N° 3. 








.. 


---- 


BD®UR!!E) 

ON SEC. 35. T9.R4.E. 

Surveyed in1850, by I.A. I.apham . 


1 

1 





Afotutd at A Mi/c/rqed. 




N? 2. 


4 .% 


& 


X 


SCALE 
■to ft to an Inch 


f 


m $ 

in." 




. i 


\) 


I . 

''IllllIlM''' 





., <-r 

■.4 ' 


1ST? 1. 


4 . ) ' -x , 2 x 

X".. ■ . ' s 


mimjp 

OX SEC. 4. T. 8 11. 4 E . 

Surveyed ui J8SO,— by I. A.L apha jtl . 


x..' 

Q 

- jt C- 'r'- ' y z* 


SC* LE 

2ao -fit.to an Inch . 



. . - X . X Gf's 

• ^ ■ ... - | -ovv 

•■y-K c w ■■v-, 


O g 

' 

o 


■ ■■•-■ ' - .. •■ 

'■ -jV .Ai -S' X 


4o ft to an Jtl . 


I ± Lari.am Del . 


T. Sinclair's lath., Fful*- 



























































XLfll 





% = 
H 


3 = 

II 

: S 


! £ 
: £ 
5 a 

s 

II 

If 

II 


5 * 

|| 

¥ 


I a 


A, 


■li I DOil'T WD30SS 

ON SKC. 18 Sr 19 T 9 R. 6 J£. 
Surveyed in 1850, by I.A.Lapham.. 



sc A LE 

Zoo ft to tin Jnch. 




t l\r-VaiF S ish.:Phi: 


A. l*pha 2 n. > DeI 









































































































XLIV. 



I Sinciaii . lilk. ?.»>!•: 


AHCnSEHTP W©M£S 

AT 

HOXET CREEK MILLS. 

Surveyed in 1850, bv I .A.L aphane * 

s calc . 

2 oo ft to an inrit 

-1 


Si 


M A F 

Shewing the Position at' the 

maw 

NEAR 

HONEY CREEK MILLS 
TOWN SHIT .9 RANGE 6. 
Surveyed in 1850 by I. A. I.apham 

S CALE 

25oo ft to an Ine/i. 




■■-'“temitomiui,: 




/ 


|_ J Hint so 


































































\ 


XLV. 


N? ] . 


Ti l Kl B ITFFALO 

On See. 19. T. 9 II. 6. 

Survryr/i. in 1850 by I. A. I .mihnrn . 
Zo ft //> an hn‘h . 






jium" 1 


HWlllUll'IIIIHIllIlllHI/ij, 


I% 




K 




?« 

/ 5 






















■ 




On Sec. 7 T 0. f{ G 


••• I.III*!.-." % 


N? Z. 






''iiim'i' 1 




2n ft. /© an frith. 


\ M 


On See. 7. T !>. K (>. 


... . .... 


/ 




V. . 


4o ft. to mi Inch 


\ / 

'llllll'' 


r \ ! 






xv 


S* ...“. . .........^ 








% 


M? 4. 




... ..it. 


/ 

/ 


a* 


m" 




iiiiiiiiiiniiiiti 




'to, 


I 


L 


-<j ft to an JnrJi. 






T.A..L&jjl*azti, Del. 


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XLVIII 



I. -A.Laonaan., 


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X LIX. 



A. Laphaw. Pel. 


T Sinclair' s lith., Plul a- 




































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ha feet to an Irish . 




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LLMOXUIEB BITER. 

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It'ehstery 


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Sinclair ’ s litii Phii“- 



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Spring* 


TrrinrjS 


Sandstone 


Geological Sestion of /hr Ridqe 


Miller's 


iOTSlIIESW WSDIRIKSi 


GREAT DIVIDING JUDGE 


BETWEEN TEE 


MISSISSIPPI & 


KTCKAPOO RIVERS. 
Sec. (>. Town 8.[f;uioe 5 -W. 
Surveyed lu 18S2. by I I.f,;ij.l.ani 


SCALE 


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13 ARTLETTS LANDTN G, 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 

S pc. 9. Town lkfiance 7. W. 
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LV. 



I A La 'Mr. 


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